CORAL Ocean Point’s director of operations, Philip Choi, said two individuals stole two golf carts, two welding machines, one cutting machine, and a grinder on Monday, Sept. 9 between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
He said the estimated value of the golf carts is $8,000 each; the welding machines, $300 each; the cutting machine, $425; and the grinder, $250.
CCTV footage showed that two men of average build approached COP from the road that connects to Koblerville. They then climbed over the fence and entered the cart storage area.
Choi said the carts were out in the open as they awaited repairs. The thieves accessed a “CCTV blind spot” and made their way into the carts. As they drove away, the pair were caught on camera driving to Koblerville.
Two security staff members were on duty, but Choi said they didn’t witness the theft.
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, COP staff investigated surrounding areas and noticed that identifying tags had been discarded on a secondary road adjacent to the golf course.
Choi said they have reported the incident to the police and were provided a case number card.
Around 30,000 people play golf at COP each year, he said, adding that the theft means they only have 98 golf carts to serve their customers.
He said in this economy, he’s not sure how they would pay for the replacement of the carts. He hopes they can still be found in working condition.
He said in the past, COP has had different run-ins with thieves, who jumped a fence to steal bags that tourists left in carts while they golfed.
People have also trespassed on golf course property to take turf grass, Choi added.
He believes that these theft incidents are threatening the island’s image as a safe tourist destination.
“It’s going to be bad for the image of Saipan,” Choi said. “If [tourists] play golf and they lose something or someone stole their bag, they’ll say, ‘Oh don’t go to Saipan it’s a very dangerous place.’ ”
He said they maintain their golf course as well as parts of Agingan Beach, which is directly adjacent to the course.
However, illegal dumping and littering still occur at Agingan Beach, he said, adding that it is a “frustrating” situation.
He is requesting members of the public to inform COP if they find the stolen golf carts and tools.
COP can be reached at (670) 234-7000. If you want to remain anonymous, you may also call the NMI Crime Stoppers at (670) 234-7272.
CCTV imagery captures the moment two men drive off with golf carts that belong to Coral Ocean Point.
CCTV imagery captures the moment two men drive off with golf carts that belong to COP.
Two golf carts like these were stolen from Coral Ocean Point.
Two of these golf carts were stolen from Coral Ocean Point.
This area is used by COP to store its carts and tools. Two golf carts were parked in the open, outside of the storage container on the farthest right side of the photo.
This is where two thieves jumped over the fence to get the golf carts. They then drove down this road toward Koblerville.
This side road, directly across from Da’ok Academy and Koblerville Elementary School, is where the thieves discarded signage from the golf carts.
This sign from a COP golf cart was found discarded on a side road on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
