By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

A STILL undisclosed quantity of copper wire that was supposed to be delivered to the Federal Bureau of Investigation was stolen from the vehicle of Commonwealth Utilities Corp. spokeswoman Pam Mathis yesterday.
The copper wire was in the trunk of an Isuzu Rodeo with tinted windows when it was stolen.
Mathis said the incident happened at 12:30 p.m. yesterday at a restaurant across from the CUC office in Dandan.
Mathis said she was on her way to the FBI to deliver the copper wire which was to be used as part of an ongoing investigation when she decided to stop for coffee.
Mathis parked her vehicle and went inside the restaurant. When she came out a few minutes later, she found out that her Rodeo was missing.
Mathis immediately called 911 and reported the incident.
Two minutes after the incident was reported to the police, an unidentified caller reported that “two suspicious males” had gotten out of a blue Rodeo and were carrying a roll of electrical wire.
The caller told police that the vehicle was abandoned near the intersection leading to the Hawaian Rock Quarry just behind the airport.
The vehicle was later recovered by Police Officer Daniel Quitugua in a boonie area behind the airport.
Police did not find the suspects in the area.
Mathis positively identified the vehicle as the one stolen from her.
The trunk was open and a preliminary investigation revealed that insulated drop wires, assorted car parts, jumper cables, compact discs, loose coins and her lunch were stolen.
Mathis said she was very pleased with the fast recovery of her vehicle.
“I’m pleased with the police action but I’m disappointed by the crime rate in the CNMI. I hope anyone who has information about this incident will call Crime Stoppers and share the information so that the responsible persons will be arrested,” Mathis said.
The incident is now being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Bureau.