Three people have been arrested in Taiwan after allegedly targeting claw machine shops, with the suspects accused of stealing cash boxes containing NT$6,000 (about RM800) before continuing their alleged crime spree in Taichung.
The incident happened at a claw machine shop in Miaoli, where surveillance footage showed one suspect entering the premises carrying a green bag while two others allegedly stood outside to keep watch.
The suspect reportedly spent less than a minute breaking open a claw machine and removing its cash box before placing it into the bag and leaving.
The shop owner later posted the surveillance footage online in an effort to identify the suspects, expressing anger that the machine had been damaged for the sake of stealing NT$6,000.
While the stolen cash amounted to NT$6,000, the owner said repairing the damaged claw machine would cost around NT$30,000.
Police from the Miaoli Precinct discovered the footage during an online patrol of social media and launched an investigation.
Beiqiao Police Station chief Ku Ching-wen said the suspects allegedly took advantage of the shop being unattended before stealing the money from the machine.
Police subsequently traced the trio and found that they had allegedly travelled south by taxi to Fengyuan district in Taichung, where they were suspected of continuing their spree.
The three allegedly targeted more machines, including breaking open claw machines and coin-changing machines to steal cash. They were also accused of taking a taxi without paying the fare.
Their alleged spree came to an end early on September 7, when police tracked down and arrested all three suspects in Changhua.
The trio will be referred to prosecutors on suspicion of aggravated theft, fraud and other offences.
