Police in Northeast China's Liaoning Province recently caught a murder suspect who had been on the run for 21 years thanks to help from an unexpected source - large-scale nucleic acid testing for COVID-19. Photo: Screenshot of video posted by The Paper on Sina Weibo.

Police in Northeast China's Liaoning Province recently caught a murder suspect who had been on the run for 21 years thanks to help from an unexpected source - large-scale nucleic acid testing for COVID-19. 

After Shenyang, Liaoning Province, saw resurgence in COVID-19 infections in recent days, the city offered large-scale nucleic acid testing for its residents. When tests were being carried out on January 13, one man refused to provide his identification details for test registration. Finding his actions suspicious, volunteers reported him to the local police. 

Shenyang police verified that the man, surnamed Wang, is a long-wanted suspect of intentional homicide. He was suspected of having killed a classmate 21 years ago over a trivial dispute and burying the body, and was listed as a wanted fugitive by police in neighboring Jilin Province. Wang confessed to the crime during his interrogation.

Shenyang police have transferred Wang to Jilin authorities. The case is currently being further processed.

Global Times