Police last night arrested 16 people who allegedly impersonated security personnel to break into Kaohsiung’s Park One International Hospital, overpowering security guards, breaking equipment, and scaring patients and medical personnel.
The group’s alleged leaders, a 48-year-old woman surnamed Juan (阮) and her 34-year-old younger brother, allegedly threatened to overpower the hospital’s security team, and claimed ownership of the hospital and its equipment.
Initial investigations found that none of those arrested were licensed security guards at the hospital, police said.
Photo courtesy of a member of the public
Reports said that a similar incident occurred at the hospital several months ago, although it is yet to be confirmed if the two events were related and whether it is linked to gang activity.
The Kaohsiung Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Corps and Zuoying Precinct have formed a task force to pursue the case as a potential organized crime incident, they said.
The Juan siblings allegedly tricked security staff to open the door in the early hours of this morning, then led in a group of about 20 people in black clothes. A physical altercation later broke out with the hospital’s official security guards.
Using their strength in numbers, the group gained control of the hospital and damaged equipment in the information technology room, witnesses said.
When police arrived, they requested that the group leave the premises and called the hospital’s director and another doctor to mediate.
Tensions escalated, as the doctors and the intruders began shouting at each other and making accusations, and failed to reach a resolution.
The hospital filed criminal complaints against the group for theft, property damage, and breaking and entering.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) requested Kaohsiung Police Commissioner Lin Yen-tien (林炎田) to take over the case.
Meanwhile, the Kaohsiung Health Bureau said it would fine the Juan siblings under the Medical Care Act (醫療法) if any property was found to be damaged or if they disrupted patient care.
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