Police investigators recently determined that fugitives Chang Hsi-ming (
Since last week, the National Police Agency's Criminal Investigation Bureau has notified police nationwide that Chang and Chen may have changed their appearances to avoid potential identification and arrest since a widely publicized gun battle in Tainan County on July 26. And while the fugitives continued to look for a boat to leave the country, the coast guards' tightened surveillance may have blocked escape efforts.
A Chinese-language newspaper reported yesterday that Chang and Chen have continued to commit crimes while on the run. The fugitives reportedly were planning to kidnap two wealthy businessmen in Taichung but the kidnappings did not take place because the two businessmen heard rumors in advance and hid.
Chang and Chen also reportedly began to blackmail fellow criminals for money and weapons, but police would not confirm these allegations.
"I can only tell you that Chang and Chen are currently in a very difficult situation, because we police are after them while no mafia members dare to help them," said a high-ranking bureau officer who refused to be identified. "They will definitely have to look for supplies, for money, food and weapons. We have everything under control. We are simply waiting for them to show up, and then we can nail them."
In the meantime, the Coast Guard Administration has informed local chief officers that they will be punished and demoted if Chang and Chen flee from their jurisdictions.
The administration would not detail the message but said that it did ask local stations to stay alert.
Minister of the Interior Su Jia-chyuan (
According to bureau Commissioner Hou You-yi (侯友宜), the fast-reaction SWAT team has 150 police officers. In addition to regular combat training, they will also go through amphibious training. Then they will immediately begin their first assignment: to go after Chang and Chen with four armored vehicles donated by the military.
"Before the end of this year, we are planning to expand the team with another 92 officers. These 242 team members will be stationed at three different bases in northern, central and southern Taiwan," Hou said.
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