Elderly Woman Goes Undercover to Catch Pickpocket

An 80 year-old woman cooperated with police to catch a pickpocket operating in a traditional market in Zhudong Township after her purse was stolen by the habitual thief.

After reporting the theft of her purse to Hsinchu County police, the elderly woman, who was not named in this Liberty Times report, was asked to stuff a couple of red envelopes with waste paper, and have the envelopes visible next time she went to market. The police would follow and observe her.

In Taiwan, where red envelopes are used to give gifts of money, a thick-stuffed red envelope could prove irresistible bait for a thief.

This morning, as the woman went about her usual routine of purchasing vegetables at the market, a woman named Lee, 45, was observed stealing the envelopes. Police rushed in, with market vendors joining in to nab the pickpocket.

Police said that Lee was a habitual thief who targeted elderly people. When the victims were distracted while looking over the merchandise at market stalls, Lee would steal their money.

After interrogation, Lee was forwarded to the District Prosecutor’s Office.

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