A man in Taichung, Taiwan, attempted to rob a convenience store while armed with a knife because he wanted to be sent to jail.
He later told the court that he hoped imprisonment would ease his financial burdens.
According to Taiwan’s ETToday, the bizarre incident occurred on 24 July in Taichung’s North District.
The man, surnamed Zeng (name transliterated from Chinese), walked into a convenience store holding a knife and told the clerk, “I want to rob you, call the police right now.”
Source: ETtoday
Amid the incident, a young customer entered the shop. Zeng pointed the knife at him and told him to leave, even tapping the man’s helmet lightly with the blade.
The clerk proceeded to call the police as instructed.
Once the clerk complied and dialled the police, Zeng placed the knife on the counter and, astonishingly, smiled while making a “V” sign with his fingers under his chin.
The behaviour was captured by surveillance footage inside the store.
He even tapped on the cash register buttons with the knife and his fingers, but did not attempt to open it or take any money, according to the store clerk.
Source: Yazid Nasuha on Canva, for illustration purposes only
When officers arrived, Zeng immediately cooperated.
He lay down on the floor and confessed that he staged the robbery because he wanted to serve jail time.
He explained that he believed being incarcerated would “alleviate his financial burdens”.
He also thought that avoiding the actual theft of money would lower the severity of the offence.
The court ruled that Zeng did not show any intent to commit robbery, as he had not attempted to take any property or force open the cash register.
His actions were ultimately deemed to be coercion and criminal intimidation, not armed robbery.
Zeng was sentenced to a total of eight months in prison, six months for coercion and four months for intimidation, served concurrently.
His sentence may be converted to a fine.
Also read: Recently released ex-convict in Thailand steals motorcycle & turns himself in to go back to jail
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Featured image adapted from Yazid Nasuha on Canva, for illustration purposes only, and ETtoday.