Man under influence of alcohol and drugs crashes into homes, threatens convenience store, sets fire to ex-lover's residence, prosecuted

(Central News Agency reporter Hung Hsueh-Kuang, Kaohsiung, July 14) A Zhang surnamed man from Pingtung became emotionally unstable after his girlfriend, Ms. Chen, broke up with him. Under the influence of alcohol and drugs, he drove recklessly, crashing into a residential home and an unrelated vehicle. He then entered a convenience store in Lin Yuan District wielding a sickle, threatened the clerk for money, and attempted arson at multiple locations, including his ex-girlfriend's residence. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office has indicted him on charges of public endangerment, intimidation, property damage, and attempted arson.

According to the indictment from the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office, the 37-year-old Mr. Zhang and Ms. Chen were previously in a romantic relationship. After Ms. Chen ended the relationship in late April, Mr. Zhang became resentful. On the evening of May 15, around 8:00 PM, he visited a hair salon in Lin Yuan District operated by Ms. Chen, demanding reconciliation, but was rejected. Emotionally distraught, Mr. Zhang grabbed Ms. Chen by the neck with his bare hands and threatened, "We'll die together."

Shortly after leaving the salon, Mr. Zhang went to a levee on Beishan Road in Lin Yuan District, where he used methamphetamine and consumed large amounts of Kaoliang liquor before driving under the influence. At 11:42 PM, he threw objects and drove his vehicle into the front gate of a residence belonging to a Mr. Tsai. He then drove in reverse on Erduan Coastal Road, blocking an unrelated driver surnamed Chen, threatening, "I'm going to beat you," and twice ramming the man's car, causing severe damage.

After this series of violent acts, early the next morning, Mr. Zhang entered a convenience store in Lin Yuan District carrying a sickle, smashed the front glass door, and threatened the store clerk to hand over cash. When the clerk froze in fear and did not comply, Mr. Zhang, dissatisfied, exited the store and reversed his vehicle into the convenience store's entrance, damaging a nearby parked motorcycle.

Mr. Zhang then drove to a narrow alley on Zhongcuo Road in Lin Yuan District, using clothes, electrical wires, and wooden sticks as fuel to set fires at the back doors and windows of two residences. Fortunately, the fires extinguished themselves due to insufficient fuel. At around 1:17 AM the same day, Mr. Zhang went to Ms. Chen's residence and piled toilet paper under the front of her sedan, setting it on fire. A neighbor, awakened by the sound of the car, checked surveillance footage, discovered Mr. Zhang's arson attempt, rushed downstairs to extinguish the fire, and immediately called the police, preventing a major disaster.

Police responded to the report and launched a manhunt, locating Mr. Zhang inside a factory in Lin Yuan District at around 3:45 AM. Testing revealed his breath alcohol concentration reached 0.29 mg per liter, and urine tests showed positive results for drugs, both far exceeding legal limits. After completing the investigation, prosecutors indicted Mr. Zhang on multiple charges, including intimidation, public endangerment, property damage, and attempted arson of a dwelling currently occupied by people. (Editor: Li Heng-Shan) 1150714