TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A man grabbed NT$2,000 in cash at a central Taiwan convenience store in order to be sent to jail, where he could receive free meals.
On Wednesday (Dec. 22), a 42-year-old man surnamed Lin (林) stepped into an OK Mart on Fuzhen Road in Changhua County's Yuanlin City and shouted "This is a robbery!" reported ETtoday. However, the shop clerk seemed indifferent and only casually glanced at him, leaving Lin at a loss over what to do.
Lin decided to stand silently in line and waited for three minutes until he got close to the checkout counter. He then grabbed NT$2,000 from the cash register, prompting the clerk to alert the police.
In surveillance camera footage of the incident, Lin entered the OK Mart then pointed his finger and shouted at the clerk.
Lin pointing at clerk. (Changhua County Police Department screenshot)
The clerk ignored Lin and gave priority to the customers waiting in line. After waiting for about three minutes, Lin walked toward the cash register and suddenly lunged forward to snatch two thousand dollars.
Lin then threw the money on the ground and ordered the clerk to "Hurry up and call the police!" However, the clerk reacted calmly and quietly stepped forward to pick up the banknotes and return them before alerting police.
Lin appeared to be satisfied with the clerk's reaction and stood waiting for police to arrive. When he was arrested, he not only did not resist but took the initiative to greet the police.
Police reportedly found that Lin has been unemployed for a long period of time, has no fixed home, and rarely eats. He told officers that he wanted to go to prison to get free food.
Police transferred Lin to the District Prosecutor's Office to be investigated for intimidation and extortion (恐嚇取財罪).