Claw Machine Store Targeted by Thief of POP MART Figures, Sentenced to 11 Months

A man in Keelung has been sentenced to 11 months in prison for a series of thefts targeting popular POP MART designer toys from claw machine establishments.

The court found the man guilty of aggravated theft and simple theft. In January, he used tools to dismantle the hinges of a locked display case at a store in Qidu District, stealing three large-sized MEGA SPACE MOLLY 400% series figures valued at 20,000 yuan. The store owner reported the theft after discovering the missing items via surveillance footage.

Four months later, the same individual targeted another claw machine store in Ren'ai District. This time, he directly removed three POP MART figures by hand. The store owner noticed the discrepancy during a routine check and subsequently alerted the police, leading to the man's apprehension.

Initially, the suspect denied the thefts, claiming a lack of memory due to the passage of time. However, prosecutors presented surveillance footage and witness testimonies, leading to his indictment. During the court proceedings, he admitted to the thefts but failed to compensate the victims or reach a settlement. The judge imposed concurrent sentences, with seven months for the aggravated theft involving tools and four months for the simple theft, with the option to pay a 120,000 yuan fine for the latter.

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The defendant committed two separate thefts with distinct intentions, and should be punished for both concurrently. The act of using tools to damage the wooden box constitutes aggravated theft, for which he is sentenced to seven months imprisonment. The act of stealing by hand constitutes theft, for which he is sentenced to four months imprisonment, with the option to pay a fine of 120,000 yuan.