Banqiao man arrested after robbing bank with scissors

Taipei, June 17 (CNA) A man was arrested for robbing the Bannan branch of Taishin International Bank in Banqiao District, New Taipei, with a pair of scissors on Wednesday, police said.

The robbery was reported at around 10:15 a.m., according to the New Taipei City Police Department's Banqiao Precinct.

Four minutes later at 10:19 a.m., police officers arrived and saw the 50-year-old suspect, surnamed Wang (王), seated in the bank's customer area counting money. He was arrested at the scene, police said.

Wang allegedly threatened a customer with scissors ordering them to tell a clerk to hand over the cash, which totaled NT$404,200 (US$12,760).

Police said the man was being questioned on suspicion of robbery while investigators seek to determine whether any accomplices were involved and if the crime was premeditated.

New Taipei City Police Department Commissioner Fang Yang-ning (方仰寧) told reporters that the more than NT$400,000 stolen by Wang was handed to a customer by bank staff.

Before the suspect could leave the scene with the cash police arrested him, Fang said, adding that a forensic examination and evidence collection have been completed.

According to local media reports, Wang first went to a nearby pan-fried bun stand and asked for a knife before entering the bank.

After the stall owner ignored his request, Wang allegedly took a pair of scissors and headed into the bank.