Thief Uses Grinder to Steal Temple Donations in Taiwan

A brazen theft occurred at the Xingfu Temple in Tianwei Township, Changhua County, Taiwan, in the early hours of August 25. The perpetrator, described as a "raincoat thief" for their full-body covering, meticulously executed the robbery, demonstrating significant preparation.

The suspect, who wore a helmet, mask, and a lightweight raincoat, appeared to have surveyed the temple beforehand. They accessed a power outlet near the temple gate to connect an extension cord, enabling them to use a grinder to cut through both the iron gate lock and the lock on the temple's donation box. The thief then quickly collected the cash, estimated to be around NT$2,000, before fleeing the scene. The entire operation took less than five minutes.

Temple chairman Xiao Shen-di noted the thief's proficiency, highlighting their complete toolkit and knowledge of the temple's layout, including the location of the power outlet. The swift and efficient manner in which the locks were breached suggests a well-planned operation. Despite the presence of three deities – Fude Zhengshen, Fude Furen, and Shennong Dadi – within the temple, the thief proceeded with the act, seemingly unfazed.

Xiao Shen-di condemned the thief's actions as "despicable" and expressed certainty that retribution would follow. The temple has filed a police report and alerted neighboring temples to enhance their security measures, including reinforcing locks and surveillance systems, to prevent further incidents. The temple provided surveillance footage showing the suspect using the grinder on the donation box, emphasizing the calculated nature of the crime.