Police have have blockaded streets around a car dealership next to the Taoyuan City Council building on Sanmin Road this evening, after two armed gangsters stormed the car yard, fired several shots, and took 9 people hostage.

The siege began at around 7:00pm, and the men were said to be armed with handguns, rifles, and a grenade.

The suspects are believed to be members of the Heavenly Way Alliance, belonging to a faction called the Justice League. The suspects are wanted in relation to case involving shots being fired at a motel in Taoyuan City last month.

As New Taipei City police attempted to arrest a suspect named Lin today, Lin and his accomplice fled to Taoyuan City, and began tonight’s siege.

Local police officers and a SWAT team were dispatched to the scene of tonight’s incident.

Apple Daily reported that a police sergeant bravely entered the premises to negotiate with Lin. The police officer, who is unnamed in the report, exited around one hour later, with two female hostages, and a handgun relinquished by the suspects.

Gunshots were again heard by nearby residents at 8:42pm, and 9:05pm, according to both Apple Daily, and Liberty Times Network.

The suspect, Lin, requested a lawyer to be present, and police officers brought the suspects meal boxes and iced drinks, in an attempt to placate them, at around 10:00pm.

At 10:30pm, three male hostages were released, and another handgun handed over.

At 11:15pm, the suspects surrendered and the remaining hostages were released.

A scene from video monitors inside the office where 6 hostages were being held by armed gangsters.

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Sources: Apple Daily, Liberty Times Network.

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