TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Police in Yilan County on Wednesday recovered more than NT$30 million (US$970,000) in jewelry stolen from a Mazu statue at Nanfangao Jinan Temple after a late-night theft, authorities said.
The haul included coral necklaces, gold accessories, and coins, and the statue’s original prayer beads were also missing, per PTS. The temple suspended worship while officers investigated.
Security footage showed a man in dark clothing approaching the statue, cutting off the jewelry, triggering an alarm, and fleeing. Temple staff believe the suspect entered from the hillside, climbed to the second floor, and broke a wooden window to reach the main hall; handprints were later found on the fence.
Temple Committee Director Lai Gui-mei (賴桂美) urged the culprit to return the items, saying the distinctive coral pieces would be difficult to sell.
Police traced a getaway car seen on video to a rented vehicle and arrested two men surnamed Chen, aged 27 and 35, on Wednesday evening. The Suao Police Precinct said all stolen items were recovered, per LTN.
The temple thanked officers for the swift recovery and said it would choose an auspicious day to rehang the ornaments, adding that the outcome showed Mazu’s “divine protection.”
