Tokyo police have arrested Yuki Horiguchi, a man suspected of committing a series of burglaries by scaling buildings during rainy weather. Authorities have linked Horiguchi to approximately 50 break-ins across the Greater Tokyo Area over the past year. Police nicknamed the suspect the “Ame-zing Spider-Man,” a play on the Japanese word for rain, “ame,” and his specific modus operandi.
Modus Operandi
Investigators state that Horiguchi targeted buildings during storms, likely banking on the fact that individuals were less likely to notice activity above them. The suspect reportedly accessed roofs via external emergency stairwells and used ropes to rappel down to upper-floor windows. He would then force entry to steal cash and valuables.
In a December 2025 incident in Taito, police allege Horiguchi accessed a sixth-floor head spa balcony via a rope. He is accused of stealing a portable safe and a wallet before moving to an adjacent building and taking approximately 110,000 yen (US$690) in cash.
Criminal History
Horiguchi is a repeat offender. Law enforcement previously detained him in 2019 for similar burglary patterns involving rainy-day break-ins. While details regarding his capture in the latest incident remain limited, police successfully connected him to the recent string of thefts. The suspect faces potential prison time as authorities continue to process the scope of his alleged activities.
The nickname given to the suspect by police sparked public criticism. Online commentary suggested the moniker was inappropriate given the impact on victims, with some questioning the judgment of the officials who coined the term.
Why it matters: This case highlights the challenges urban police departments face when dealing with persistent, habitual offenders who exploit specific environmental conditions to evade detection. The incident also underscores the public scrutiny law enforcement faces regarding how they characterize suspects in high-profile criminal investigations.