Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas speaks to reporters after a press conference Tuesday morning.
Photo by Bryan Manabat
DEPARTMENT of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas said officers from the Criminal Investigation Bureau arrested a 17-year-old male early Tuesday morning in connection with the death of 77-year-old Rosa Mendiola Sablan, also known as “Chai.”
DPS had earlier identified Sablan as the victim found dead inside her home on Tataga Street in San Antonio on Saturday afternoon.
Investigators noted signs of foul play and were seen on Sunday speaking with and interviewing neighbors of the deceased.
Because the suspect is a minor, Macaranas did not disclose his identity at a press conference on Tuesday but confirmed that he has been charged with murder.
“He is currently in custody and being held on a $200,000 cash bail,” Macaranas said.
He added that the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with information about the case to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 670-664-9042 or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 670-234-7272.
Pressed for more details, Macaranas said, “The minor was taken into custody and arrested based on an arrest warrant … in Garapan … and he was related to the victim.”
The 17-year-old appeared before Superior Court Judge Lillian A. Tenorio for a juvenile bail hearing on Tuesday afternoon, which was closed to the public.
Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds told Variety that the arrest warrant was issued for second-degree murder.
“The process is that Juvenile Court has immediate jurisdiction. We have to petition the court to have the juvenile transferred to adult court. Based on the charge — murder — our office is considering whether to file that petition,” Hinds added.
Second-degree murder in the CNMI is punishable by a minimum of five years and up to life imprisonment.
Macaranas also said there has not been an increase in crimes involving minors in recent months, but he urged parents to closely monitor their children’s activities.
“Make sure that they’re home, keep them busy … so that they are preoccupied instead of having free time to go out and do something they’re not supposed to be doing,” he said.
In an official statement, DPS said that at approximately 3:55 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, officers responded to a residence in San Antonio following a call for assistance.
“Upon arrival, they discovered an elderly woman who had passed away,” the statement read. “Family members reported that they last spoke with her a few days ago. Earlier that day [July 26], they checked in on her but believed she was still resting, so they planned to return later. When they came back to check on her again, they found her unresponsive and immediately contacted the authorities.”
The victim was transported to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, where she was pronounced dead at 7:25 p.m.
