29-Year-Old Man Arrested for Unleashing Over 100 Live Cockroaches at Famous Taiwan Restaurant

A man has been arrested by police for unleashing more than 100 live cockroaches at a famous restaurant in Taiwan.

According to reports from Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) and the United Daily News on the 1st, Taiwan police announced that they arrested a 29-year-old man surnamed Yu at his residence on the afternoon of August 31 on charges including forcibly obstructing the business of the restaurant owner and employees and posing a threat to safety.

Yu entered the restaurant at 12:30 PM on the 29th, hurled abuses, poured a bag containing about 100 cockroaches near the cash register, and fled before being caught.

Taiwan prosecutors have requested an arrest warrant from the court for the detained Yu.

The Tainan District Prosecutor's Office explained in a press release distributed to the media the previous day, "Based on the investigation, we judged that the charges of committing coercion and intimidation under the Criminal Act were serious, and with concerns of flight, destruction of evidence, and reoffending, we requested an arrest warrant."

It added, "As the motive stated by the defendant is not clear, we will further investigate related evidence and facts."

However, the court granted his release on the condition of bail of 30,000 New Taiwan dollars (approx. 1.3 million won).

Instead, his residence was restricted.

The United Daily News reported, "According to reports, Yu stated that he committed the crime out of a grudge after previously arguing with the restaurant over dissatisfaction with its service attitude," adding, "However, prosecutors determined that he is not truthfully stating whether such a simple motive was the real reason or if someone directed him from behind the scenes."

In Taiwan, an incident also shocked the public in 2021 when someone purchased about 10,000 cockroaches due to a debt dispute and had them thrown into a restaurant and a lobby.

At that time, the mastermind was charged with intimidation and sentenced to six months in prison.

Local media pointed out that in Taiwan, red cockroaches used as pet food are easily and cheaply available online, and have recently been used as a means for debt collection or illegal retaliation.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.