Reports gathered by Crime Stoppers showed that five burglary and theft incidents occurred at Ladder Beach, Paupau Beach, Tank Beach and Forbidden Island — all tourist destinations.
“Crime Stoppers is seeking the community’s assistance for information on a string of burglary and theft incidents that occurred at our local beaches,” said Crime Stoppers coordinator PO2 Jason Tarkong.
He urged members of the public who have information about these and other crimes to call Crime Stoppers at 234-7272.
Crime Stoppers pays up to $1,000 for any information leading to an arrest.
The Saipan mayor’s office, the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands have yet to respond to the inquiries of this reporter regarding any programs or projects that can provide better security to tourists on island.
A staffer from the office of Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council said its chairman, Ramon B. Camacho Jr., who is also the adviser for the Neighborhood Watch Task Force, will issue a statement once he reads this news report.
On two separate occasions on Feb. 5, a Sunday, still unidentified suspect/s victimized a visiting couple from the states, and a local Japanese male.
At about 2:30 p.m., the couple arrived at Tank Beach on their rented car.
“The couple went for a stroll on the beach. An hour later, they discovered the passenger window smashed, and their personal items stolen,” Tarkong said.
Stolen valuables included a backpack, a pair of binoculars, a mobile phone, a wristwatch, a prescribed pair of sunglasses and over $200 cash.
On the same day, Tarkong said another car was broken into in Kagman, located in the Forbidden Island parking area.
The victim, a local Japanese male, parked his car and escorted tourists down to Forbidden Island.
He returned a few hours later to discover his car unable to start because its battery was stolen, Tarkong said.
On Feb. 5, at about 12 noon, a male tourist was sunbathing at Paupau Beach when he fell asleep.
When he woke up, his black bag containing $150 cash and credit card was already stolen, Tarkong said.
On Jan. 31, at about 2 p.m., a bag was stolen at Ladder Beach while a visiting couple was roaming the area.
Tarkong said inside the bag were $700 cash, an iPod touch, and a cellular phone.
“The victims did see a Blue Toyota Tundra pick-up truck roaming the area and the occupants were described as two local males,” Tarkong said.
On Jan. 29, at about 4 p.m., a female local parked a rental van near the top of the stairs leading to Ladder Beach.
The victim was with some friends and left the van unlocked as they walked downstairs to look at the beach. A few minutes later, they returned to the van and departed the area, according to Tarkong.
They later discovered that their purses containing over $300 cash and other valuables were missing and were likely stolen while the van was parked.
