The True Story Behind the “Former Green Power Ranger” Who Robbed 43 Houses in Japan

A viral claim has circulated online suggesting that a former Green Power Ranger used skills learned on set to commit dozens of burglaries in Japan. While the story is based on real events, the connection to the Green Ranger is exaggerated.
The man involved is Yasutomo Ihara, a Japanese stunt performer and suit actor who worked on productions such as Tensou Sentai Goseiger and Kamen Rider OOO. His role involved performing dangerous stunts, including flips, high falls, and fight choreography, while the main actors remained safely on camera.
In 2009, Ihara suffered a serious knee injury on set that permanently ended his stunt career. Attempts to transition into acting failed because his previous work had kept his face hidden behind helmets and costumes. Without recognition and steady income, he faced mounting financial difficulties.
Between November 2013 and June 2014, Ihara carried out 43 burglaries in Saitama Prefecture. Using his agility and climbing skills, he scaled walls, climbed telephone poles, and entered homes through second-floor windows or balconies. The unusual methods earned him the nickname “Spider-Man thief.” Authorities reported that he stole cash, jewelry, and other valuables totaling around 8.2 million yen, or roughly $77,000 USD at the time.
Ihara was arrested in September 2014 after investigators traced footprints to a park he had used to train and scout targets. He confessed to the crimes and told authorities he had planned to use the money to fund acting classes and pursue on-camera roles. In 2020, a Japanese court sentenced him to five years in prison.
Despite viral claims, Ihara was not the original Green Ranger from Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger nor did he appear in the American Power Rangers. He performed as a stunt and suit actor in later Super Sentai and Kamen Rider series. The “Green Ranger thief” label is a myth created by social media exaggeration and storytelling.
The case highlights the risks stunt performers face when injuries end their careers, and how specialized skills can be misused when financial pressure mounts. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the viral spread of misleading claims online.