A logistics center employee in their 40s who stole over 900 million won worth of high-end electronics from an online shopping mall over a two-year period has been sentenced to prison in the appeal trial as well.

The Chuncheon District Court announced today (September 12) that it dismissed the appeal filed by an employee in their 40s, identified as A, who was indicted on theft charges, upholding the lower court's sentence of three years and six months in prison.

A is accused of stealing 971 electronic devices, including smartphones and laptops, worth approximately 920 million won over a period of about two years starting in October 2022.

Investigations revealed that A took advantage of their duties, which involved transferring resalable returned items to the inspection team. This position allowed A to move freely inside the logistics center and open return boxes without restriction, facilitating the crime.

In particular, A used meticulous methods, such as hiding expensive electronic devices under safety shoe insoles or throwing them out of windows located in CCTV blind spots.

The stolen items were sold through second-hand trading platforms, and a significant portion of the profits was reportedly used for gambling funds.

The first trial stated, "The amount of damage is very large, the crime was committed over a long period, and the method is also bad," sentencing A to three years and six months in prison.

The appeals court also stated, "The sentencing of the lower court was made within a reasonable scope of discretion," rejecting the defendant's argument that the lower court's sentence was too heavy.

(Photo: Yonhap News)