Authorities have detained several suspects in recent days for violent acts and making threats, stepping up efforts to prevent copycat attacks after a deadly stabbing spree in Taipei on Friday.
In New Taipei City's Sansia District (三峽), a man surnamed Lu (呂) was ordered detained today after allegedly entering a gas station armed with two kitchen knives and splashing flammable liquid on Saturday afternoon, authorities said.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
Police said Lu began slashing at passing vehicles at about 2pm before storming into the gas station, threatening staff and splashing an unidentified flammable substance.
About 10 officers were dispatched to the scene and subdued him after he refused orders to drop the weapons.
Lu suffered a minor arm injury during the struggle and was treated at a hospital before being transferred to prosecutors, police said.
Following questioning late yesterday, prosecutors said he is suspected of attempted arson of an occupied building, threatening the public and endangering public safety.
Citing the risk of flight and repeat offenses, they sought Lu's detention, which was approved by the New Taipei District Court this morning.
In a separate case, another New Taipei City man, surnamed Chiu (邱), was detained yesterday after allegedly shouting "I have a gun" outside Sanmin Senior High School Station on the Taipei MRT in Lujhou District (蘆洲) on Saturday morning.
Police intervened to prevent panic, and Chiu allegedly assaulted an officer during questioning, injuring the officer's hand.
Prosecutors said he faces charges including threatening the public, obstructing public duties and causing bodily harm.
Authorities are also intensifying action against online threats.
Taichung prosecutors said a 43-year-old man surnamed Chang (張) was ordered detained and held incommunicado today after allegedly posting comments on social media platform Threads referencing a large-scale random killing plan on Saturday.
Investigators searched his home in Taichung's Cingshuei District (清水) and seized his mobile phone for digital analysis yesterday morning.
Authorities launched the crackdown following an indiscriminate knife attack late on Friday near Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan MRT Station that left four people dead, including the suspect, 27-year-old Chang Wen (張文).
The Criminal Investigation Bureau yesterday said that about 20 online posts involving threats or calls for indiscriminate attacks had been identified nationwide as of noon yesterday.
Police and prosecutors warned that any acts threatening public safety, whether online or offline, would be dealt with swiftly.
Chinese spouse and influencer Guan Guan’s (關關) residency permit has been revoked for repeatedly posting pro-China videos that threaten national security, the National Immigration Agency confirmed today. Guan Guan has said many controversial statements in her videos posted to Douyin (抖音), including “the red flag will soon be painted all over Taiwan” and “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China,” and expressing hope for expedited reunification. The agency last year received multiple reports alleging that Guan Guan had advocated for armed reunification. After verifying the reports, the agency last month issued a notice requiring her to appear and explain her actions. Guan
The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau audited six hotels in an effort to prevent price gouging ahead of Korean band BTS’ concert tour in the city scheduled for Nov. 19, 21 and 22 this year. The bureau on Friday said that the audits — conducted in response to allegations of unfair pricing posted on social media — found no wrongdoing. These establishments included the local branches of Chateau de Chine, Hotel Nikko, My Humble House, and Grand Hai Lai, it said, adding that the Consumer Protection Commission would have penalized price gougers had the accusations been substantiated. The bureau said the Tourism Development Act
BACK TO WINTER: A strong continental cold air mass would move south on Tuesday next week, bringing colder temperatures to northern and central Taiwan A tropical depression east of the Philippines could soon be upgraded to be the first tropical storm of this year, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, adding that the next cold air mass is forecast to arrive on Monday next week. CWA forecaster Cheng Jie-ren (鄭傑仁) said the first tropical depression of this year is over waters east of the Philippines, about 1,867km southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), and could strengthen into Tropical Storm Nokaen by early today. The system is moving slowly from northwest to north, and is expected to remain east of the Philippines with little chance of affecting Taiwan,
GIVE AND TAKE: Blood demand continues to rise each year, while fewer young donors are available due to the nation’s falling birthrate, a doctor said Blood donors can redeem points earned from donations to obtain limited edition Formosan black bear travel mugs, the Kaohsiung Blood Center said yesterday, as it announced a goal of stocking 20,000 units of blood prior to the Lunar New Year. The last month of the lunar year is National Blood Donation Month, when local centers seek to stockpile blood for use during the Lunar New Year holiday. The blood demand in southern Taiwan — including Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Taitung counties — is about 2,000 units per day, the center said. The donation campaign aims to boost
RSS