11.10.2026 21:22
The 37-year-old Japanese Peace Bell, a symbol of friendship between Yalova and the Japanese city of Tonami, was stolen by 3 suspects and sold to a scrap dealer. It emerged that the suspects, who came to the park at midnight on a three-wheeled electric bicycle, cut the 87-kilogram bell with iron shears and took it away, selling it for 26 thousand liras. While one of the suspects was caught, efforts continue to find the other 2 people and the bell.
One of 3 suspects has been caught in connection with the theft of the 37-year-old 'Japanese Peace Bell', the symbol of friendship and brotherhood ties between Yalova and the Japanese city of Tonami.
THEY CAME ON A 3-WHEELED ELECTRIC BICYCLE
The Japanese Peace Bell in the park on Cengiz Koçal Street in Süleyman Bey Neighborhood was stolen on September 14. Following a complaint by the Yalova Municipality Parks and Gardens Directorate, teams from the Public Order Branch Directorate of the Provincial Police Department launched an investigation. Teams examining the City Security Management System (KGYS) footage identified the suspects. According to the camera footage examined, the 3 suspects left the house in Bağlarbaşı Neighborhood at around 03:28 on the day of the incident. The suspects, moving on a gray 3-wheeled electric bicycle without a license plate, arrived at the park where the bell was located at 03:57.
THEY CUT IT WITH METAL CUTTING SHEARS
According to the allegation, the suspects cut the handle part of the bell with the metal cutting shears they had brought with them. Then they loaded the 87-kilogram bell onto the bicycle's cargo box and left the scene. It was also learned that while the suspects were carrying the bell, the electric bicycle's battery died on the ramp in the neighborhood, so they carried the bell to Bağlarbaşı Neighborhood, and to avoid police tracking they covered the front of the electric bicycle with cardboard.
THEY SOLD IT FOR 26 THOUSAND LIRA
As a result of physical surveillance and investigations, 1 of the 3 suspects was caught and taken into custody. It was learned that the bell was sold to a scrap dealer in Bağlarbaşı Neighborhood for 26 thousand lira about 1 week after it was stolen. It was stated that the caught suspect was given a share of 4,500 lira from the sale.
2 SUSPECTS ARE BEING SOUGHT
While work continues to catch the 2 suspects believed to be linked to the incident, searches continue to find the 37-year-old Japanese Peace Bell, the symbol of friendship and brotherhood ties between Yalova and its sister city, the Japanese city of Tonami.