A man yesterday was detained by police after allegedly attempting to break into the Presidential Office Building wielding a 20cm fruit knife, prompting Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang (黃重諺) to tout confidence in the facility’s security.
“Regarding the failed forced entry into the building by a man armed with a knife, we were able to obtain information immediately. We have faith and confidence in the office’s security,” Huang said.
Authorities were able to determine the man’s situation and ascertain his motives, Huang said.
Photo: CNA
Huang made the remarks about an hour after a 40-year-old man surnamed Lee (李) allegedly attempted to break into the building at 12:30pm. He was subdued by police and military police.
According to police, Lee’s household registration is in New Taipei City’s Sinjhuang District (新莊), but he has been living on the streets due to being unemployed for an extended period.
Police said that Lee’s actions were prompted by discontent over his lack of work.
He reportedly stole the knife from a store on Chongqing S Road earlier in the day and then attempted to break into the Presidential Office Building, police said.
He was in an agitated state and brandished the knife when police arrived at the scene, officers said.
Officers knocked the knife out of Lee’s hands with batons, they said.
No injuries were reported, police said, adding that they had ruled out politics as a motive.
They referred the case to prosecutors on charges of theft and breaching the Social Order Maintenance Act (社會秩序維護法).
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