Banqiao: A man was arrested for robbing the Bannan branch of Taishin International Bank in Banqiao District, New Taipei, with a pair of scissors on Wednesday, police said. The robbery was reported at around 10:15 a.m., according to the New Taipei City Police Department's Banqiao Precinct.
According to Focus Taiwan, police officers arrived just four minutes later at 10:19 a.m. and found the 50-year-old suspect, surnamed Wang, seated in the bank's customer area counting money. He was arrested at the scene. Wang allegedly threatened a customer with scissors, ordering them to instruct a bank clerk to hand over cash totaling NT$404,200 (US$12,760).
Police stated that Wang is being questioned on suspicion of robbery as investigators work to determine whether he had any accomplices and if the crime was premeditated. New Taipei City Police Department Commissioner Fang Yang-ning reported that the more than NT$400,000 stolen by Wang was initially handed to a customer by bank staff. Before Wang could leave with the cash, police arrested him, and a forensic examination and evidence collection have been completed.
Local media reports indicate that prior to the robbery, Wang approached a nearby pan-fried bun stand and requested a knife. When the stall owner ignored his request, Wang allegedly took a pair of scissors and proceeded to the bank.