Man Steals Boat, Batteries, and Fuel During Storm in Hsinchu County; "Fantastic Drift" Ends on Beach

A 50-year-old man with a background in fishing villages used a stormy night to steal a registered motorboat, along with batteries and fuel from two other vessels, from Hsinchu County's Hongmao Port. The man, described as confident in his boating skills, took advantage of the heavy rain and lightning on April 5th to conceal his actions and evade surveillance cameras. However, his plan unraveled when the theft was discovered by the boat owners.

Investigators pieced together the timeline, noting that a motorboat was detected leaving the port around 1:30 AM without authorization, navigating treacherous weather conditions. The boat's trajectory showed it ventured into the Taiwan Strait before turning back towards the coast. It attempted to navigate upstream through the Fengshan River estuary in Zhubei but was apparently forced back to sea by strong floodwaters caused by the downpour. The vessel's "fantastic drift" finally ended at V-Port on Chongyi Beach in Zhubei.

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The police said that at the time of the crime, the male suspect deliberately used the late-night hours to hide his whereabouts and evade surveillance cameras, but despite meticulous planning, he was still tracked by officers from road surveillance cameras near a hidden section.

Police then shifted their focus to vehicle surveillance, identifying a man who drove to the V-Port area shortly after 2:30 AM, picked up an unidentified individual, and left. This led to the identification of the suspect, identified as Zhang. Authorities are now investigating whether Zhang has been involved in other port thefts, examining his methods and habits.

The stolen boat was registered to a fisherman named Wu, but had been deregistered. The incident highlights the audacity of the theft, occurring amidst severe weather conditions, and the subsequent police work that led to the suspect's apprehension. Zhang has been formally charged with aggravated theft.

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The police reviewed relevant road surveillance footage and indeed found that after 2:30 that morning, a 41-year-old man surnamed Zeng suddenly drove to the V-Port area, briefly stopped, picked up an unidentified man, and then left.