The first case involves a theft of vehicle that occurred on Saturday, February 29, 2020, at about 12:03 a.m. DPS received a call reporting a theft of vehicle at a residence located in Garapan. Police arrived at the scene and met with the victim who stated that an unknown individual had drove off with their 2016 Toyota Tacoma. The victim stated that the gate was left opened, and the vehicle was left unlocked with its keys still in the vehicle. While interviewing the victim, police received a report of a similar vehicle striking a parked car before speeding off and running into a residential structure in Upper Miha housing in Chinatown.
When police arrived at the scene they noticed that a 2016 Toyota Tacoma had struck a residential structure, and did not have the keys inside the vehicle. No one was found to be inside the vehicle at the time. Preliminary investigation revealed a certain item left inside the vehicle that belonged to the suspect. Witnesses in the area also helped police identify the suspect who was later found to be a juvenile.
The juvenile was found and the key for the vehicle was found on the juvenile’s person. The juvenile was placed under arrest. During that time the juvenile was found to be under the influence of alcohol, and was brought to the Commonwealth Health Center for clearance before being transported to the Department of Corrections where the juvenile was booked and detained. The juvenile was later released by the court.
Second case
The second case occurred on December 11, 2019, at about 6:28 p.m., the victim called to report a theft of their red 2017 Mazda 3 sedan vehicle from their apartment lot located in the village of San Jose, Saipan. The victim in this case stated that they left the vehicle key in the ignition and did not secure the vehicle. The next morning they discovered that the vehicle was missing, and called for police assistance. On the same day police located the vehicle parking at an apartment complex in Garapan, Saipan. The victim noticed that the vehicles front bumper sustained damages, and the key was missing from the vehicle.
On December 13, 2019, at about 8:02 a.m., the red 2017 Mazda 3 was reported stolen again by the victim as the key for the vehicle had not been recovered yet. On the same date at about 10:23 a.m., the vehicle was located inside a ditch just off the road in the village of Gualo Rai, with damages to the vehicles passenger side window and body damage to the vehicles right side.
Third case
The third case was reported on December 13, 2019, at approximately 12:24 p.m. The victim called 911 to report a theft of vehicle at their residence on Navy Hill. The victim stated that their white 2012 Ford Econoline bus was missing since December 10, 2019. The victim stated that they thought an employee had taken the bus, but it was later discovered that the employees had not seen the bus since December 10, 2019. The victim added that the keys were left inside the van for the employee, but the van was taken before the employee was able to make their way to pick up the vehicle.
On the same date, at about 1:32 p.m., an officer conducting routine patrol through Navy Hill spotted the van perform a U-turn and drive at an excessive speed toward Grace Christian Academy. Police also performed a U-turn once safe to do so, and drove toward GCA. The officer noticed that the bus was left unattended and there were no occupants in the vehicle. The victim positively identified the vehicle and stated that the van had a big dent located on the vehicle’s right passenger side, with writings on the hood and side of the vehicle. No suspects were apprehended at the time and an investigation followed.
Fourth case
The fourth case was reported on December 14, 2019, at 7:43 a.m. The security of a hotel located in Garapan, called to report a theft of a company golf cart. Shortly after all units were notified to be on the lookout for a white golf cart, an officer conducting routine patrol though the village of Garapan, spotted the golf cart, and immediately noticed two individuals flee and run in toward a wooded area. The officer notified all units and a K-9 was dispatched to the scene. Shortly after 8:17 p.m., officers radioed in that they had located the two suspects with the help of the police K-9.
The suspects were brought to CHC for clearance of injuries sustained from running through the jungle, before being transported to Corrections where they were booked and detained. They were later re- leased as police conducted further investigation.
After, numerous interviews with witnesses who were at the scene, combing through hours of video surveillance, and other case-related evidence, DPS forwarded a request for arrest warrants on three juveniles involved in four separate vehicle theft cases.
On Saturday, February 29, 2020, an arrest warrant for the three juvenile suspects for charges that include theft of vehicle, conspiracy, accessory after the fact, theft, burglary, and criminal mischief was signed by Superior Court Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio who imposed a bail of $10,000 on each individual.
If you or someone you know want to report a crime, call 911. If you would like to remain anonymous, call the CNMI Crime Stoppers hotline at 234-7272. Crime Stoppers pays up to $1,000 for any information leading to an arrest.
