Five men, including two high school students, arrested on suspicion of loading a special self-defense baton into their car for robbery purposes; items including a ski mask were seized from the vehicle.

Five men, including high school students, were arrested for carrying a special baton intended for self-defense in their car with the purpose of robbery.

Arrested on suspicion of robbery preparation were five men, including two high school students, such as suspect Osano Yoshihisa (30).

According to police, the five are suspected of carrying two special batons, originally for self-defense, in their car on an expressway in Nakagawa Ward, Nagoya City, on August 11, and traveling toward the Kanto area with the intent to commit robbery.

Police have not disclosed whether the five admit or deny the allegations.

Police stated that the car the five were riding in was stolen, and items such as a balaclava and gloves were found inside the vehicle besides the special baton, leading to their arrest on suspicion of robbery intent.

The five were communicating via a high-privacy messaging app, and police are working to uncover the details of the group.