A quick police stop in Taipei ended in a theft arrest, a small win for the scooter owner and a reminder about how easily older bikes are taken.

• A 42-year-old man was pulled over in Nangang after making an illegal turn on a red light.
• He was nervous and could not explain where the scooter came from, then admitted he had stolen it a minute earlier.
• He said he wanted to go shopping and had no ride, so he used an old key of his own to start a parked scooter.
• The owner only learned the bike was gone when police called, and said he had never met the man.
• He claimed he planned to park it back where he found it.

Outlook: The case goes to prosecutors on theft charges, and police say they will keep up patrols against scooter theft.