Xizhi police car firebombed, suspect arrested across counties within ten hours

A shocking arson attack on a police vehicle occurred recently in Xizhi District, New Taipei City. While a patrol car of the Xizhi Branch of the New Taipei City Police Department was on duty near its station, an unknown individual threw a gasoline‑filled bottle at the vehicle, igniting a fire. Thanks to the rapid response of personnel on the scene, the blaze was extinguished quickly and no injuries were reported.

The incident, which involved the deliberate targeting of a public service vehicle and an act of defiance against state authority, prompted the police to treat it with the utmost seriousness. An investigative task force was assembled immediately to pursue the case. By reviewing nearby surveillance footage and conducting a meticulous analysis, investigators swiftly identified a middle‑aged man as a prime suspect. Demonstrating efficient pursuit capabilities, officers tracked the suspect from New Taipei to Taoyuan City and, within ten hours of the attack, successfully apprehended him. Following interrogation, the suspect was transferred to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office on charges of obstruction of official duties, public endangerment, and property damage, with prosecutors urged to request his detention.

The attack took place within the jurisdiction of the Xizhi Branch, where the police car was parked at a designated spot before being maliciously struck by the flammable bottle. The bottle ignited upon impact, causing partial damage to the vehicle. Because the weapon used is highly dangerous and the target was a symbol of law enforcement, the act posed a serious threat to the safety of frontline officers and to public order. Consequently, the police promptly launched an investigation, notified fire services for on‑site evidence collection, and deployed elite personnel from the criminal investigation division and local precincts.

After the task force was formed, its primary objective was to reconstruct the sequence of events and locate the perpetrator. Investigators examined dozens of surveillance cameras covering the crime scene and surrounding roads, filtering for suspicious persons and vehicles to piece together the suspect’s escape route. Further inquiry revealed that the middle‑aged man switched transportation modes shortly after the attack in an attempt to create gaps in the pursuit. Using big‑data matching and advanced surveillance techniques, police quickly confirmed his identity and traced his movement to another county. The task force then initiated a cross‑jurisdictional chase, pursuing him from New Taipei all the way to Taoyuan City, showcasing strong inter‑regional crime‑fighting capabilities.

Once the suspect’s precise location was confirmed, police executed a net‑capture operation in Taoyuan, apprehending him before he could react. The entire process—from the arson to the arrest—took less than ten hours, reflecting the police’s swift handling of incidents that threaten public safety and challenge governmental authority. The detained individual was momentarily speechless when surrounded by officers. He was subsequently escorted back to the Xizhi Branch for further questioning to determine his motive, the source of the gasoline bottle, and whether any accomplices or premeditation were involved.

With the suspect in custody, the case was forwarded to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office on charges of violating the Criminal Code’s provisions on public danger, obstruction of official duties, and damage to public property. Given the intentional nature of the gasoline‑bottle attack, its high degree of danger, and its serious maliciousness, both the police and prosecutors have formally requested that the court order his detention to preserve social order and prevent recidivism. The episode underscores the constant risk of sudden violent threats faced by frontline officers while performing routine security duties, and the rapid resolution of this case demonstrates a firm commitment to upholding the law and reassuring the public.

(Source: Central News Agency)