Taitung, Taiwan — March 25, 2026
A former executive of the refining division of CPC Corporation Taiwan was arrested in eastern Taiwan after fleeing custody by removing his electronic monitoring device just before a court verdict in a corruption case.
Authorities identified the suspect as Xu Han, who allegedly executed a carefully planned escape spanning more than 170 kilometers. According to investigators, Xu departed his residence in Kaohsiung’s Nanzih District on March 19 and proceeded to Zuoying Station, where he boarded a southbound train to Chaozhou, Pingtung County. Upon arrival, he purchased several boxed meals before hiring a taxi to Wanluan Township.
At approximately 1:55 p.m., Xu reportedly selected a remote area in Wanluan with no surveillance coverage and cut off his electronic ankle monitor. The Ciaotou District Court immediately received a tampering alert and notified local police. However, by the time officers reached the location where the signal was lost, Xu had already fled in a vehicle driven by an accomplice.
Due to the absence of direct surveillance footage, authorities expanded their investigation to surrounding road networks, reviewing CCTV recordings to identify suspicious vehicles. Investigators eventually tracked a car believed to have transported Xu along the South-Link Highway, crossing the Central Mountain Range into Taitung County.
Police later confirmed that Xu had been hiding in a remote mountainous area between Jinfeng and Taimali townships. Reports indicate that Xu and his alleged accomplice, a man surnamed Lin in his 30s, had checked into an isolated guesthouse several days prior. The location, accessible only via a narrow and muddy road, is rarely visited by tourists. Lin, who was reportedly familiar with the property owner, allegedly failed to properly register identification during check-in. The two men shared a twin room in an apparent attempt to avoid suspicion.
The guesthouse owner stated that both individuals maintained a low profile, wore face masks, and rarely left the premises. They occasionally requested assistance in purchasing food and spent most of their time in the surrounding mountain area or using their mobile phones. Xu reportedly engaged the owner in casual conversations about gardening, showing knowledge in landscaping, which did not raise suspicion.
Authorities launched a coordinated arrest operation on the evening of March 24. Officers initially entered the guesthouse posing as tourists to assess the situation. Lin allegedly became suspicious and attempted to alert Xu, who was waiting outside. However, police quickly moved in and secured the area.
Lin was subdued near the kitchen, while Xu, recognizing the situation, reportedly did not resist and cooperated with authorities. During the arrest, Xu informed officers that he suffers from a heart condition and requested that no excessive force be used.
Police confiscated personal belongings and other evidence at the scene before taking both individuals into custody. Prosecutors have since filed for Xu’s detention as legal proceedings continue.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to the calculated nature of the escape and the extensive cross-regional manhunt that led to the suspect’s capture.