Published: 2026/9/21 19:39 | Updated: 2026/9/21 20:35
Reporting by Wang Yan-ting and Xu Jia-rui
A chaotic incident unfolded on the streets of Taipei this morning (the 21st). Around 9:10 AM, police received a series of reports regarding disorderly conduct and property vandalism in the vicinity of Taipei Main Station. Upon arrival, officers discovered that a man surnamed Chen had allegedly vandalized public property in the Taipei Main Station Underground Mall and stolen fire extinguishers along his route. He subsequently proceeded to Chang’an West Road, where he pushed over a moving scooter, causing injuries to three people (the rider and passengers). Police apprehended the man, and the case is being investigated on charges of theft, property damage, and causing bodily injury.
At a busy intersection, cars and scooters were moving forward when a man dressed in black suddenly appeared from the roadside. He forcefully shoved a scooter rider, causing the rider to fall instantly; the impact affected other vehicles, resulting in a pile-up and forcing a taxi behind them to brake urgently. The man then fled the scene.
advertising wall in the Taipei Main Station Underground Mall was found toppled with parts scattered around, and traces of discharged dry-powder fire extinguishers were visible at a nearby Taipei Metro office—a scene that left onlookers shaken. A local resident, Mr. He, said, “I was outside and only realized what had happened when the ambulance arrived; their scooters had collided.”
A scooter rider named Mr. Chen remarked, “It’s very dangerous. If a rider doesn’t notice in time and falls, getting pinned or something similar could result in physical injury.”
Police investigations revealed that the man involved—surnamed Chen—allegedly engaged in a spree between 8:40 AM and 9:10 AM on the 21st. He began by damaging public property in the Taipei Main Station underground mall, then stole and randomly discharged multiple fire extinguishers along his route before shoving a person on Chang’an West Road. Upon being apprehended, the man claimed he did not know why he had committed these acts.
A television screen on an advertising wall in the Taipei Main Station Underground Mall was found toppled with parts scattered around, and traces of discharged dry-powder fire extinguishers were visible at a nearby Taipei Metro office—a scene that left onlookers shaken. A local resident, Mr. He, said, “I was outside and only realized what had happened when the ambulance arrived; their scooters had collided.”
A scooter rider named Mr. Chen remarked, “It’s very dangerous. If a rider doesn’t notice in time and falls, getting pinned or something similar could result in physical injury.”
Police investigations revealed that the man involved—surnamed Chen—allegedly engaged in a spree between 8:40 AM and 9:10 AM on the 21st. He began by damaging public property in the Taipei Main Station underground mall, then stole and randomly discharged multiple fire extinguishers along his route before shoving a person on Chang’an West Road. Upon being apprehended, the man claimed he did not know why he had committed these acts.
Luo Ren-jie, Deputy Chief of the Jiancheng Police Station (Datong Precinct), explained, “The incident resulted in injuries to three people across two vehicles. Following his apprehension at the scene, the suspect was referred to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office for investigation on charges of theft, property damage, and assault.”
Wang Po-Chi, an associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Ming Chuan University, noted, “For cases that may not currently be on official watchlists—yet where the individual has a history of similar behavior—we could perhaps make notations in the system. Police or relevant health agencies could then conduct follow-up visits or provide support and care.”
A return to the scene showed that the damaged television screen had been replaced and the area cleaned up. However, regarding how to prevent similar erratic incidents and mitigate risks, scholars suggest establishing protective mechanisms centered on the individual’s immediate social circle. This approach would prioritize care within families and schools as the first line of defense, expanding outward to include mutual aid and support within neighborhoods, thereby gradually building a more robust social safety net.