On Friday (24th) afternoon at around 3 p.m., a bank robbery occurred in the Da'an District of Taipei City, Taiwan. A 31-year-old man surnamed Lin, who was short on cash to support his children and unable to pay rent, entered a China Trust Bank Zhongxiao Branch with a fake gun and imitation grenade, held a female manager hostage, and attempted to steal tens of millions in cash. Fortunately, the police swiftly subdued and arrested him. Lin's identity has now been revealed: he was once a promising 'Texas Hold'em poker champion' who, after a failed business venture, owed 7 million TWD (about 880,000 MYR). Ultimately, he took the desperate step of robbing a bank, and actually intended to 'walk home' after the crime.
The incident happened at around 3:32 p.m. on the 24th. Lin, wearing a blue raincoat and a hood covering everything but his eyes, entered the bank. As soon as he walked in, he threw a fake grenade and pulled out a gun to control a security guard, then held the gun to the head of a female manager surnamed Yu, shouting and demanding 10 million TWD in cash be put into a suitcase. The female manager was so terrified she dropped to her knees, trembling.
Dunhua South Road Police Station Director Lü Zhenglong and his team arrived at the scene within 3 minutes and briefly confronted Lin. But based on his experience, Lü 'distinguished the sound by ear' and noticed the crisp sound of Lin pulling the trigger was only from a BB gun. He then led his team to rush forward and quickly subdued and arrested Lin.
It is understood that 31-year-old Lin and his wife have two children together. Years ago, he was a champion in a national Texas Hold'em poker tournament; he was calm and composed at the poker table. Unexpectedly, several years ago, he failed in an entrepreneurial venture and ended up with a debt as high as 7 million TWD. Lin later tried to turn things around by running an underground mahjong gambling den in his rented place on Dunhua South Road, but in March this year, it was busted by the same station director Lü Zhenglong.
With his source of income cut off, unable to pay rent, facing huge debts, and the responsibility of supporting two young children, Lin seemed to be driven to desperation and fantasized about robbing a bank with a fake gun.
Police investigation found that Lin carried fake weapons, had no accomplices, and was not using any transportation during the crime. He allegedly planned to walk home dragging the suitcase if the robbery succeeded. After being caught, he pleaded with the police, 'Can you let me see my children?' The police allowed him a brief visit with his children while accompanying him to search his rental residence. The whole case has been transferred to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office under suspicion of aggravated robbery.