TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei’s Datong Precinct conducted a simulated bank robbery Thursday afternoon, with officers dressing as characters from the Japanese manga Hunter x Hunter.
Two disguised robbers armed with fake weapons stormed Taiwan Cooperative Bank’s Datong branch. Police apprehended one suspect and intercepted the other during an “escape” attempt.
The drill was designed to benefit both financial institutions and the online police network. For financial institutions, the focus was on boosting defensive awareness, while the goal was to improve rapid crime response capabilities for police.
The precinct reminded the public that during the Lunar New Year or other occasions requiring large cash withdrawals, they can request police escorts for added security.
If confronted by robbers, individuals should remain calm, prioritize personal safety, and take note of key details such as the appearance of the suspects, vehicle license plates, escape routes and so on … and promptly call the 110 police hotline.
One of Taiwan’s most infamous bank robbers was Wang Yuan (王淵), nicknamed the “Raincoat Robber.” Wang committed three heists between 2005 and 2012, stealing more than NT$40 million (US$1.21 million), per CNA.
Data from the United Daily Knowledge database and the Judicial Yuan system show that 378 bank robbery cases involving 504 offenders occurred between 1982 and 2020. A study published 2021 by the National Chengchi University Department of Public Administration identified several factors affecting the choice of time and success of bank robberies.
Factors like the type of financial institution, day of the week, time of day, number of offenders, and tools used had a significant impact.
The study, which combined quantitative data with semi-structured interviews, identified Fridays between 11 a.m. and 1:59 p.m. and after 3 p.m. as high-risk periods for robberies, when a relaxed security mindset might encourage criminal activity.