Man Arrested After Threatening Nun with Toy Gun, Leading Police on Chase

A 50-year-old man was arrested in Jinju, South Korea, after threatening a Buddhist nun with a toy M16 rifle and then evading police for about an hour in a car chase. The incident began on July 29 when the man entered a temple, asked for water, and then brandished the replica firearm at the nun, attempting to force her into his vehicle.

When the nun resisted, the suspect fled in his car, injuring the temple's office manager who was struck by the vehicle. Police responded to the nun's report of a man with a "gun" and mobilized with bulletproof vests. The chase ensued, with the suspect driving from Jinju to Sancheong County and back, covering approximately 50 kilometers.

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Police are planning to request an arrest warrant for Mr. A (50s) on various charges including special threat, violation of the Road Traffic Act, obstruction of public duty, damage to public property, and injury.

Police successfully cornered the suspect's car around 4:10 p.m. near Naengjeong Intersection in Jinju. However, the man rammed police cars in an attempt to break through the cordon. Officers fired two blank rounds and four live rounds at the vehicle's tires to immobilize it. They then broke the car window with a baton and used a Taser to subdue and arrest the suspect at 4:21 p.m.

During the arrest, five police officers sustained injuries to their backs and wrists. A breathalyzer test revealed the suspect's blood alcohol content was 0.076%, above the legal limit for driving suspension. The weapon used was a toy replica of an M16 rifle. Police stated that the suspect and the nun were strangers and that his motive remains unclear as he denies the charges. Due to the toy nature of the weapon, charges related to firearms control laws are unlikely to apply.

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The victim (Buddhist nun) and Mr. A were confirmed to be complete strangers. However, as Mr. A denies the crime, the motive has not yet been determined.