By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigation Bureau has arrested two men in connection with a copper wire theft reported Nov. 24 at the former T‑Galleria building in Garapan.
Investigators said about 50 to 60 feet of copper wire, valued at $4,000, was cut and removed from the site.
Ramon Camacho was detained near Plumeria Steakhouse shortly after the incident and later arrested. During questioning, Camacho admitted involvement and identified two other suspects: John Sellem Jones and Christopher Hiroaki.
On Dec. 2, Superior Court Judge Teresa Kim Tenorio signed arrest warrants for all three. That same day, investigators arrested Camacho and Jones in Garapan.
The two defendants, both charged with burglary, theft, and vandalism, appeared in the custody of the Department of Corrections before Judge Joseph N. Camacho for a bail hearing Wednesday morning. The judge set bail at $15,000 cash for each.
Hiroaki, believed to have driven the getaway vehicle — a blue Kia Sportage with CNMI license plate ADD‑480 — remains at large.
DPS is asking the public for help in locating Hiroaki. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (670) 664‑9042 or call Crime Stoppers at (670) 234‑7272 to remain anonymous.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
