Strict Penalties for Construction Site Thieves; Safeguarding Industrial Security

Prosecutor Huang Tian-yi of the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office (CDPO) directed the Shuishang Division of the Chiayi County Police Bureau to investigate an organized theft and aggravated quasi-robbery case involving suspects Zhuang (M, born 1997), Xue (M, born 1991), and Hong (M, born 2001). Following intensive evidence gathering by the task force, the three suspects were apprehended in March 2026. Criminal tools, including smartphones, were seized. After interrogation, the prosecutor filed a motion with the court to detain Zhuang and Xue incommunicado, which was granted. The investigation has now concluded, and formal charges have been filed.

Case Summary

The defendant, Zhuang, who served as the head of an engineering firm, collaborated with his employees Xue and Hong between December 2025 and March 2026. The group repeatedly entered the construction site of a publicly listed company in Taibao City, Chiayi County, using rented trucks. Armed with dangerous weapons such as hydraulic cutters and grinders, they stole power cables belonging to companies including Han-Tang Integration. The total illicit proceeds from the sale of the stolen goods reached NT$4,977,965.

On the early morning of March 3, 2026, the three defendants were discovered during a theft attempt. To secure the stolen property and evade arrest, Zhuang drove a vehicle to forcibly ram through a gate and surged toward security personnel. This use of violence and intimidation rendered the guards unable to resist, allowing the suspects to escape and subsequently sell the loot in Pingtung.

Charges and Sentencing Recommendations

The actions of Zhuang, Xue, and Hong constitute Aggravated Quasi-Robbery and multiple counts of Aggravated Theft under the Criminal Code.

The prosecutor took into account that the defendants, all in their prime, chose to abandon legal livelihoods in favor of repeated thefts at landmark industrial sites, severely damaging public order and industrial development. The following sentences are sought:

• Zhuang and Xue: 10 years of imprisonment each.

• Hong: 9 years and 6 months of imprisonment (reflecting a slight reduction for voluntarily returning a portion of the criminal proceeds).

Official Statement

Chief Prosecutor Tsai Tzung-Shi emphasizes that construction site cables are vital infrastructure materials. Stealing them not only violates corporate property rights but also risks delaying project timelines and compromising industrial safety. The CDPO will continue to rigorously investigate organized theft and actively trace the flow of illicit funds to maintain social order and protect the assets of citizens and enterprises alike.