Security guard shot in the thigh during armed bank robbery in Taipei City

A security guard was shot in the thigh by a bank robber armed with a military-style assault weapon this morning in Taipei City.

At around 10:40 am, a man wearing a black cap, blue jacket, jeans, and a surgical mask, walked into a branch of Bank of Panhsin on Bei’an Road, Zhongzheng District, armed with what multiple media reports described as ‘an M16 assault rifle’.

When the bank’s security guard stepped forward to confront him, the robber fired 6 shots. One bullet hit the guard in the right thigh.

Following the shooting, bank staff did not hesitate to obey the robber’s demands, and filled a bag with cash to the total of around NT$800,000.

After the brazen daylight robbery, which took just 1 minute 14 seconds, the robber fled in a stolen taxi.

armed bank robber flees towards stolen taxi
A suspect flees towards a stolen getaway vehicle after robbing a bank at gunpoint, and shooting a security guard in Taipei City, March 30, 2020.

The 44-year-old security guard, named Chen ( 陳 ), was rushed to Mackay Memorial Hospital for emergency medical treatment. Mr Chen’s condition is described as non-life-threatening.

Police investigators found six 5.56 mm bullet shells at the scene of the crime, according to Liberty Times.

According to SETN, police later located the stolen taxi near the intersection of Fuxing 2nd Road, and Wenhua 2nd Road in Guishan District, Taoyuan City. The taxi was identified as a vehicle stolen in Beitou District earlier this morning.

According to CNA, a female taxi driver had picked up a male carrying a travel bag at Taipei Metro Zhishan Station. En route, the taxi driver stopped at a gas station due to “an emergency call of nature.” While the driver was using the bathroom, the suspect allegedly stole the taxi.

Police received the report about the stolen taxi at around 8:00 am.

security cam picture of armed bank robber
Security cam picture of bank robber.
https://youtu.be/W5P9t53maf4
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