By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
ANGEL Ruben and Amanda Kaipat have been charged with robbery in Superior Court after restraining a cashier and taking more than $5,000 from AK Poker on Beach Road, Garapan, in broad daylight on Oct. 1.
Ruben, 39, was initially scheduled to appear for a bail hearing on Oct. 8 but had to be taken to the hospital for a medical emergency. Court documents did not indicate the medical reason.
At a bail hearing on Thursday before Judge Joseph N. Camacho, both defendants appeared in the custody of the Department of Corrections. The Public Defender’s Office represents Ruben while Kaipat, 37, will be assigned a lawyer.
Assistant Attorney General Dan Johnson appeared for the government.
After the hearing, Judge Camacho set a $50,000 cash bail for each defendant and remanded them to the custody of the Department of Corrections. The judge ordered the defendants to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. and arraignment on Oct. 27 at 9 a.m.
The complaint
According to the complaint, the poker establishment’s cashier told police that Ruben and Kaipat entered the game room. She said Kaipat asked her to unlock the restroom and leave the cashier’s booth. After opening the restroom and returning to the cashier’s booth door, Ruben grabbed her and demanded the keys to the cash register, the cashier said.
They struggled, and Kaipat, who exited the restroom, then helped Ruben take the keys, the cashier said.
According to the victim, Ruben told her, “Just give me the keys, so no more problem.”
She also said Kaipat warned, “If you fight, run away, or make noise, we’re going to kill you.”
The victim told police that $5,052 was stolen from the cash register drawer.
Surveillance footage captured Ruben and Kaipat entering the establishment, restraining the victim, and taking the money. Footage from the cashier booth showed Ruben opening the drawer and exiting after removing the cash, police investigators said.
