To Thi Thao, 20, of Tien Phong commune, Pho Yen, Thai Nguyen, was placed in temporary detention for assaulting a woman and holding a boy hostage on January 28.
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To Thi Thao is confessing at the police station |
Her motivation: Love. Thao felt so helpless after being forsaken by her lover that she became extremely jealous of a woman whom she blamed for ruining their love. The woman, Hoang Thi Bich, 20, was working at a shop in Dong My.
On January 28, Thao approached Bich and asked her “rival in love” to end her relationship with her lover. She told a story about her 4 year relationship with the man whom Bich was now seeing. Bich did not believe the story and the two women began arguing. Bich asked Thao to leave but Thao answered by taking out an injection needle out of her bag and threatening Bich. She demanded money and threatened to inject her with HIV.
Bich was frightened and handed over VND1.5 million to Thao. However, Thao forced Bich to take a sedative with white wine. Bich obeyed Thao’s request out of fear and soon laid unconscious. Thao took an additional VND700,000 before calling a taxi.
Bich regained consciousness and shouted for help. Residents pursued Thao. At that time, Thao was stricken with panic and abruptly grabbed Nguyen Quang Duong (12) as a hostage.
Thao told concerned onlookers to let her go or she would give the boy an injection. The police of Dong My commune, Thanh Tri district were on the spot within a few minutes of receiving a phone call. After giving Thao solace, the police eventually apprehended Thao and took her into the custody. This love-torn woman didn't actually have HIV. She confessed that her actions were caused out of sadness for her lost lover.
Police are further investigating the case.