Miaoli man fakes knife injury at high-speed rail station, caught amid work stress

A violent‑attack report was made early one morning in the vicinity of the Houlong High‑Speed Rail Station designated area in Miaoli County. A man told police that he had been injured by an unknown assailant wielding a weapon at the site. Because the location is part of a high‑speed rail zone where pedestrian and vehicle traffic are increasing, and because the alleged incident involved public safety and a knife attack, the local police treated the case with utmost seriousness. They immediately activated a major‑case investigation protocol, reviewed extensive surveillance footage from the surrounding area, and dispatched officers to the scene to collect evidence.

The report came in the early hours, with the complainant appearing frantic as he claimed that while walking alone in the area he was suddenly attacked by a stranger brandishing a utility knife, sustaining multiple cuts and puncture wounds. The keywords “knife attack” and “random assault” triggered an immediate high‑level response. Police officers were sent to provide medical assistance to the victim, and an investigation team together with forensic personnel launched a thorough search in an effort to identify the suspect quickly, reassure the public, and prevent panic.

As the police task force examined the case, the factual picture began to emerge. Hundreds of surveillance camera recordings from the vicinity were reviewed, and the man’s described route, time of the incident, and alleged escape direction were cross‑checked. The footage showed no indication of the confrontation he described, nor any suspicious individuals approaching or fleeing the area at the reported time. Confronted with this objective visual evidence, the man’s insistence that he had been attacked collapsed, and he eventually admitted that the entire episode was fabricated. The injuries on his body were self‑inflicted with a utility knife rather than caused by an external assailant.

According to the suspect’s statements and the subsequent investigation, he chose to self‑harm and falsely report a knife attack because he had been under extreme work‑related stress. His emotional state had been tense for an extended period, and lacking a suitable outlet for his distress, he resorted to the extreme and irrational act. Fear of responsibility and a desire to attract social attention and assistance led him to lie to the authorities about being a victim of violence. Although his motive stemmed from psychological pressure, his conduct wasted considerable public‑security resources and caused unease and fear among local residents, constituting a violation of relevant legal provisions.

After clarifying the full sequence of events, police proceeded in accordance with legal procedures. While the man did not specifically name any individual, his false report to a state authority constitutes the crime of false accusation under the Criminal Code of the Republic of China. Following the completion of statements and evidence collection, the case was formally referred to the Miaoli District Prosecutors Office for prosecution. The incident highlights the broader issue of mental‑health and occupational stress faced by workers and citizens in modern society; when emotional pressures lack proper channels for release, irrational actions may occur, harming the individual and imposing serious burdens on social order and public resources.

(Source: Central News Agency)