On the 14th, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office indicted an inspector from the Yeongdeungpo Police Station, identified as 'A', without detention on charges including abuse of authority for arrest, after he lured a special theft suspect who had voluntarily appeared at the police station outside to conduct an unlawful emergency arrest. [Photo = Yonhap News]

An incumbent police officer has been sent to trial for luring a special theft suspect who had voluntarily appeared at the police station outside to perform an unlawful emergency arrest.

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office indicted inspector 'A' of the Yeongdeungpo Police Station without detention on the 14th on charges of abuse of authority for arrest and other related offenses. Following an investigation, the prosecution uncovered the injustice suffered by the suspect—who had been referred to them under detention—through supplementary investigative measures and immediately ordered his release.

"Premeditated" Emergency Arrest and Document Fabrication

On May 22, suspect 'B', who was under investigation for special theft, voluntarily appeared at the police station for questioning. However, instead of following standard investigative procedures, Inspector A resorted to subterfuge.

Inspector A intentionally enticed B, who was already inside the police station, to "come outside," and then proceeded to perform an "emergency arrest" as if it were a spontaneous event. During this process, A fabricated facts in the emergency arrest report, stating that he had "coincidentally discovered and arrested the suspect on the street while conducting inquiries," in order to justify the arrest.

Furthermore, he even manipulated seizure records and warrant applications, making it appear as though stolen items obtained from a third party had been directly confiscated from B.

The Truth Revealed Through Supplemental Prosecution Investigation

During the prosecution's investigation, B, who had been referred while in custody, appealed his case, stating, "I had appeared voluntarily, but the officer told me to come outside and then suddenly arrested me."

Under the Criminal Procedure Act, emergency arrests are to be used restrictively only when there is a "risk of the suspect fleeing or destroying evidence." Determining that there was no risk of flight since B had walked into the police station on his own accord, the prosecution classified the act as an explicit "illegal arrest."

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office Criminal Division 4 (Chief Prosecutor Kim Byeong-cheol) conducted a thorough analysis of witness statements, call logs, and police station entry records, confirming that B's claims were true. Consequently, the prosecution released B from custody and brought Inspector A to trial for abuse of power.