Alleged robber seeks jail for room, board

UNUSUAL CRIME: Instead of immediately leaving after robbing the bank, Wang sat in the bank’s waiting area, later saying he had robbed the bank to get free meals in prison

A man who robbed a bank with a pair of stolen scissors and then sat in the waiting area until he was arrested by police has been sentenced to 7.5 years in prison, the New Taipei City District Court said.

In a verdict issued yesterday, the court said the 50-year- old man, surnamed Wang (王), had gone to a pan-fried dumpling and pot sticker store in the city’s Banciao District (板橋) at about 10am on June 17.

Wang waited until the shop owner was not looking and stole a pair of scissors from a table, then walked to a Taishin Bank branch on Guanqian E Road, the verdict said.

A gavel is pictured in an undated photograph.

Photo: Taipei Times

Upon entering the bank, Wang brandished the scissors and shouted for a teller to “take out the money.” He then grabbed a customer and threatened to kill her if the bank staff did not comply with his demands, it said.

Bank tellers handed Wang NT$404,200 (US$12,338) in cash, which he placed in his pockets, the court said.

Instead of immediately leaving, Wang sat in the bank’s waiting area, where he was arrested by police shortly after, it said.

Wang confessed during interrogation and the trial, saying he had robbed the bank because he was unable to pay rent or afford food and wanted to get free meals in prison, the verdict said.

Although his defense lawyer requested that he be given compulsory psychiatric treatment, the court found that Wang showed no signs of mental incapacity or diminished responsibility.

Wang’s comments showed that he was fully aware of his actions and their consequences, and demonstrated clear thinking and a grasp of his own interests, the verdict said.

Citing Wang’s previous theft convictions and his failure to change his ways, the court sentenced him to seven years and six months in prison for armed robbery.

The court also sentenced Wang to three months in prison for theft, commutable to a fine.