By KHT Staff
TAINAN — The Tainan District Court has released a 29-year-old man on NT$30,000 bail after prosecutors sought to detain him for allegedly dumping more than 100 live cockroaches inside a restaurant in Anping District (安平區), the Central News Agency reported.
The suspect, identified only by his surname, Yu (余), was also placed under a restriction on his residence.
Yu allegedly entered the old Anping branch of Chou’s Shrimp Rolls (周氏蝦捲) at about noon on Aug. 29, while wearing a raincoat, motorcycle helmet and mask.
According to an earlier CNA report citing Tainan police, the man cursed at restaurant employees before emptying a plastic bag containing more than 100 cockroaches toward the counter and fleeing. The insects scattered across the floor and may have reached ingredients behind the counter.
The restaurant’s owners said they did not recognize the man and were unaware of any dispute that might explain why the business was targeted. Investigators had not established a motive.
Prosecutors alleged that Yu may have violated Article 304 of Taiwan’s Criminal Code, covering coercion, and Article 305, covering threats to personal safety. They asked the court to detain him while the investigation continued.
The court said there was substantial suspicion that Yu had committed the alleged offenses and acknowledged a possible flight risk. However, the offenses carry maximum prison terms of three years or less.
Under Article 114 of Taiwan’s Code of Criminal Procedure, the court said it could not reject Yu’s request for bail under those circumstances. He has not been convicted, and the case remains under investigation.
