Guilty thief caught mailing back stolen golden medal of goddess

A theft involving a deity’s gold medal occurred at a temple dedicated to the Goddess of Childbirth (Zhusheng Niangniang) in Gushan District, Kaohsiung City, recently. A man surnamed Hong, taking advantage of the temple’s unoccupied state, stole the gold medal worn by the deity statue and sold it. However, overwhelmed by fear and guilt, Hong returned the medal to the temple via postal service just one day after the theft. Although the medal was recovered, the act of theft constituted a criminal offense. After receiving the report and reviewing surveillance footage to identify the suspect, local police summoned Hong for questioning. Following the interrogation, the case was referred to the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors’ Office for investigation on suspicion of theft under the Criminal Code of the Republic of China.

The incident took place on Qingquan Street in Gushan District. According to police investigations, the temple is usually bustling with incense smoke and worshippers. To express reverence to the deities and seek their protection, the temple typically adorns the deity statues with gold medals symbolizing nobility and faith. On the day of the incident, temple staff discovered that the gold medal worn by the statue of the Goddess of Childbirth on the altar had vanished while performing routine cleaning and patrols. Realizing they had been victimized by an intruder, they immediately filed a report with the Gushan Branch of the Kaohsiung City Police Department, requesting that authorities recover the deity’s medal and bring the perpetrator to justice to ensure the safety and property security of the religious site.

Upon receiving the report, officers from the Gushan Branch took immediate action, forming a special task force comprising local police station personnel and the detective unit. The police conducted a crime scene investigation at the temple, collecting relevant physical evidence and fingerprints, while simultaneously reviewing extensive surveillance footage from inside the temple and surrounding roads. By tracking the movements of suspicious individuals and vehicles, the task force quickly identified a man surnamed Hong as a prime suspect. Just as police were preparing to execute searches and summons based on the evidence, the temple unexpectedly received a package from the post office. Upon opening it, staff were astonished to find the stolen gold medal inside, completely intact.

It emerged that after successfully stealing the medal and leaving the temple, Hong felt no relief or joy. Instead, his inner anxiety and fear intensified over time, leaving him in a state of extreme restlessness. Under the dual pressure of traditional folk beliefs and his moral conscience, Hong became convinced that he had offended the deities and feared misfortune or divine retribution. Seeking inner peace and forgiveness, he decided to return the hard-won medal via the postal service the day after the theft, hoping to alleviate his guilt and avoid potential calamity.

However, there is a clear distinction between legal and religious dimensions. Although Hong’s decision to return the stolen goods demonstrated a degree of remorse, theft is a public prosecution offense under the law, meaning it is not dependent on a private complaint. Once the criminal act is completed, the return of the stolen item or a reconciliation with the victim does not negate the fact that the theft has been consummated. Therefore, having secured sufficient surveillance evidence and identified Hong, the police did not drop their investigation despite the recovery of the medal. Instead, they proceeded with the established legal procedures to summon him.

When summoned by the police, Hong confessed to his actions without reservation. He provided a detailed account of the theft process and the psychological journey that led him to mail the medal back due to his conscience. After completing the necessary documentation and investigative procedures, the case was formally referred to the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors’ Office for investigation on suspicion of violating the Criminal Code of the Republic of China. This case not only highlights the efficiency of law enforcement in ensuring that no crime goes unpunished but also reaffirms the fundamental principle in a rule-of-law society that any illegal act must be met with corresponding legal responsibility, regardless of any remedial measures taken afterward.

(Source: Central News Agency)