Reading the Taiwan media every day, it’s obvious that Taiwan is in the grip of an amphetamine epidemic. Every day tales of violence and reckless, stupid behavior emerge, but are largely ignored in favor of stories about politics, celebrity gossip, and food. Today, a woman in Kaohsiung with multiple drug convictions led police on a chase for more than twelve minutes, traveling at reckless speeds, and into the path of oncoming traffic while carrying her 2 year old son. The kid was
Read moreMonth: July 2015
Sleeping at the Wheel? Driver Drives Head-on into Traffic Barrier
Yunlin County: Fortunately nobody was seriously injured or killed in this traffic accident in Yunlin this morning. The car veers left from the outside lane across the inside lane, across an intersection and straight into a traffic barrier. There is no attempt to brake the vehicle or avoid the obstacle. The vehicle spins 360 degrees and flips onto its roof. Fortunately, the 51 year-old female driver received only minor injuries and was helped out of the car by an emergency
Read moreStudent Protesters Break Through Police Barriers
Student protesters broke though police barriers last night and occupied the square at the Ministry of Education. Students rocked the barrier back and forth as the chanted for the Minister of Education to step down. The steel and razor-wire barrier was pushed down at an angle and the protesters then laid cardboard and other materials over the razor-wire so they could clamber over it. The protests against the Ministry of Education’s politicized, China-centric changes to the curriculum, intensified after a
Read moreRunaway Truck Kills one Injures 3 (includes video)
Tainan: Suspected brake failure caused a 10 ton truck to roll down a freeway exit ramp and across a busy 4 lane road, killing a scooter rider and injuring 3 other other people. The incident was caught on security cameras. Footage shows the out of control speeding truck hitting 3 cars, then smashing through the center traffic divider, before hitting the scooter rider. Sources: CTi, Apple Daily
Read moreTruck Explodes in Taichung
Updated 22:00 July 29 A moving truck, carrying live fish was destroyed when an 800 liter liquid oxygen cylinder, associated with the fish tank exploded. The accident happened at 6.30 AM this morning on a busy road in Taichung. The driver of the truck suffered 2nd degree burns to 20 percent of his body. Other vehicles and nearby buildings suffered broken windows and minor damage. The incident was caught on traffic cameras. Sources: CTi, ETtoday.
Read moreBetel Nut Bandit Spits on Women
Tainan City. From January to April this year a man targeted women walking alone and spat betel nut juice on them. The 34 year old man used a scooter to approach his victims, then make a quick escape. There were a total of 8 victims. The man has been charged with multiple offences, including public insult. Sources: CTi, Apple Daily.
Read moreDrunk Driver Causes Serious Accident: Tries to Pin it on Her Son
A woman in Taichung hit a scooter rider at high speed, causing serious injuries, then called her son to come help her. When police arrived, she told them her son had been driving, and had left the scene of the accident. Police were suspicious of her story. The woman reeked of alcohol and had bruises on her face. A short time later, her son arrived and denied he was the driver at the time of the accident. The woman, who had a
Read moreMan Throws Dog from Sixth Floor
Around 10pm, Sunday July 26, a man in Keelung City threw a dog from the sixth floor of a building. The dog landed in the middle of the street and died of massive head trauma. Residents placed stools and a red box on one of the stools to avoid the dog being run over by a car, and called animal protection and police authorities. The suspect, fled from the scene but was caught the next day in Taipei on drug
Read moreGangsters Arrested in Wanhua District
Wanhua district in New Taipei City is a famous gangster haven in Taiwan, and even featured in the movie Bangka. This morning several thugs, including their gang leader were arrested after being caught on camera causing havoc, and violently intimidating a business proprietor over failure to pay protection money. The gang is estimated to have earned up to NT$10 million in the scheme over the last couple of years.
Read moreKiller Surrenders to Police
A man wanted for a murder in Taoyuan turned himself in to police in Ilan County yesterday. The victim, who operated a money lending business, lived in Taoyuan’s Guishan district. After having lunch with his family July 24, he went out alone, but failed to return for the evening meal. The family reported him missing and police accessed his phone records to trace his route. Accessing surveillance cameras, they saw the victim, Mr. Zhou, walking with a Mr. Yang and entering
Read moreCops and Robbers: Motorcycle Chase in Kaohsiung
An apparently habitual criminal led the police on a dangerous chase through the streets of Kaohsiung. The man had just posted bail for other offenses at the district prosecutors office. He then stole a motorcycle so he could get home. On his way he went through a red light. When police watching the intersection asked him to stop, the man who feared that his previous offenses, including burglary and DUI would show up, attempted to evade the police. A police car
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