Man Arrested for Attempted iPhone Theft at Second-Hand Phone Shop in Taoyuan’s Zhongli District 🇹🇼
TAOYUAN, Taiwan — April 21, 2026 — A theft incident occurred at a second-hand mobile phone store on Zhonghua Road in Zhongli District, where a 25-year-old man was caught attempting to steal a high-value smartphone before being stopped by store staff.
According to police authorities, the suspect, identified by the surname Lee, allegedly took an iPhone worth around NT$40,000 from the store on the evening of April 20 and attempted to leave without paying.
🚨 Store Staff Intervene Quickly
The theft was immediately noticed by shop employees, who confronted and detained the suspect before he could flee. The staff then alerted law enforcement.
Officers from the Zhongli Police Precinct’s Wunhua Police Station responded promptly to the scene.
📱 Stolen Item Recovered
During the arrest, police searched the suspect’s bag and successfully recovered the stolen iPhone, which was later returned to the store owner. Authorities confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody and will be investigated under theft charges.
🧾 Possible Related Incidents Under Review
Following the incident, discussions emerged on social media, where another business claimed the same individual had recently sold used clothing items but had not returned to collect payment. This raised concerns about whether the items could also be linked to stolen goods, prompting further scrutiny from local businesses.
👮 Police Statement
Police officials emphasized that theft cases seriously violate property rights and will be handled strictly under the law. Authorities also urged the public and business owners to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior immediately to help maintain community safety.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to determine the full extent of the suspect’s activities.