By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE Department of Public Safety is investigating a burglary at Summer Snow Café and Kids in Susupe after a suspect was captured on surveillance video and employees reported several items missing from the establishment.
According to DPS public information officer Fred Sato, 911 Dispatch received the burglary report at 11:10 a.m. Wednesday, May 20. Officers arrived at the scene at 11:24 a.m. and met with a female employee who said the business had been broken into overnight.
A preliminary investigation found that the suspect entered through a storage room window after removing plywood and a padlock, both of which were later found on the ground outside.
The employee told police the business had been secured at approximately 9 p.m. the previous night. When she returned the following morning, she found items scattered behind the cashier counter, the supply closet door wide open, and the cash register missing. An estimated $250 in change funds had reportedly been kept inside the drawer.
Summer Snow operators later posted surveillance footage on social media, asking for the community’s help in identifying the man seen in the video.
“During a time when so many people are already struggling because of the typhoon, this kind of crime is especially unacceptable,” the business wrote. “Other businesses and residents may already have been affected or could become future victims as well.”
The business urged the public to review the video carefully and remain vigilant.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the DPS Criminal Investigation Bureau at (670) 664-9042. Anonymous tips may be reported to Crime Stoppers at (670) 234-7272.
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.
