Botched car theft in Taiwan ends in arrest after man struggles for hours to start vehicle

man steal car

Man in Taiwan botches car theft, fails to start vehicle after 2 hours and gets arrested

A man in Taiwan was arrested on 19 Aug after failing to steal an unlocked car in Keelung City despite trying for more than two hours.

At around 9pm, 45-year-old Wei (name transliterated from Mandarin) came across a car parked roadside with its doors unlocked.

Entering the vehicle, he attempted to start it, but struggled for hours without success.

Patrolling police officers catch suspect in the act

Just before midnight, officers from the Qidu Police Station were patrolling the area when they noticed Wei acting suspiciously in the car’s passenger seat.

According to China Times, it belonged to a woman named Tian (name transliterated).

car theft taiwan

Source: Rac. For illustrative purposes only.

Upon questioning, the officers discovered Wei was not the owner and subsequently took him to the station for interrogation.

In statements to the district prosecutor, Wei admitted to trying to start the car but claimed he didn’t have the key and denied intending to steal it.

car theft taiwan

Source: China Times

Following the probe, the prosecutor charged him with theft under Article 320, Paragraph 3, and Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code.

Sentenced to 6 months for attempted car theft in Taiwan

The Keelung District Court found that Wei’s actions qualified as attempted theft, citing his prior convictions for theft and extortion.

He was sentenced to six months in prison, which can be converted to a fine.

Also read: Couple in M’sia caught on dashcam stealing windshield wiper in mall carpark

Couple in M’sia caught on dashcam stealing windshield wiper in mall carpark

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Featured image adapted from Rac, for illustrative purposes only, and China Times.

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