Hsinchu, Taiwan — February 8 — A Malaysian man, who had been overstaying in Taiwan for seven years, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison for robbing a jewelry store in Hsinchu City. Authorities said he stole a gold necklace worth over NT$673,000 before attempting to flee and later selling the jewelry in Taoyuan.
According to the court, the suspect, surnamed Wen, staged the robbery on September 8 of last year. He left a backpack containing a change of clothes in an alley near a lottery store, then entered the jewelry store pretending to browse for a gold necklace. While the store attendant was distracted by another customer, Wen grabbed a 50.11-tola (approximately 1.875 ounces) gold necklace valued at NT$673,449 and ran out.
He retrieved his backpack from the alley, changed clothes in a nearby restroom, and returned home before heading to Taoyuan to sell the necklace at a jewelry company. Police tracked him down the same night, recovering NT$407,700 in cash and a receipt showing a gold resale amount of NT$645,420.
The court noted that although Wen claimed financial need prompted the theft, his actions violated property rights, endangered social order, and demonstrated disregard for the law. Considering his seven-year overstay in Taiwan, the Hsinchu District Court convicted him of robbery, sentencing him to two years and four months in prison. Upon completing his sentence, Wen will be deported, and the proceeds of his crime will be confiscated.