By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

TWO men took off with $2,500 in cash from a poker arcade early Thursday morning after they threatened to kill the cashier with a long stick and a hammer if she didn’t hand over the money.
The suspects are still at large.
The NMI Crime Stoppers said it would give a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who gives information relative to this incident. The number is 234-7272.
“All calls are kept anonymous; no caller ID is used and a reward of up to $1,000 is given for any information leading to an arrest,” police said.
The two suspects wore dark clothing and white masks when they entered the Viva Poker Game Room along Beach Road in Chalan Piao at 4:37 a.m. on Thursday.
Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Lei Ogumoro said the two were armed with a long stick and a hammer.
One of them confronted the 42-year-old cashier and threatened to kill her if she did not follow their ordes.
“According to the cashier, the suspect tried to hit her by forcing the stick and hammer through the window of the cashier’s booth. He also threatened to kill her if she did not hand over the money,” said Ogumoro.
“The cashier, fearing for her life, gave him the money. The suspects managed to escape with $2,500 in cash. No one was hurt during the incident,” Ogumoro said.
In related news, DPS rescued two men stranded on a boat eight miles west of Saipan on the night of April 28.
According to a police report, the two intended to do some trolling and bottom fishing but experienced engine problems before they even began to fish.
“The cause of the distressed boat was an engine problem. The vessel was found to be in compliance with CNMI boating safety law and federal law. No citations were issued,” said Ogumoro.