Saipan — Two men were arrested February 25 in connection with a January burglary and theft case after investigators linked them to stolen property shown in a video that we posted on the NMI News Service social media channels and later recovered a speaker the victim identified as stolen.
The Department of Public Safety said Jose Ngeskebei was arrested at his residence in Gualo Rai, while Derek Naog was arrested at Club 88 in Garapan. During Naog’s arrest, officers reported finding a small bag containing a crystallized substance that tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine.
Investigators said the case began January 27 when a victim reported multiple items stolen from his property. As the investigation developed, officers reviewed a video circulating on social media that showed two individuals placing items into a white Toyota RAV4 near a traffic light along Tun Herman Pan Road. The victim later confirmed the items shown were his stolen property.
DPS said officers located the white RAV4, bearing CNMI license plate ADM 943. The vehicle’s operator told investigators he had picked up Ngeskebei and Naog along with items covered in cloth, took them to Cell Corea, and later dropped both off in the Ironwood area.
DPS said investigators interviewed Ngeskebei January 29 and he confirmed he was with the vehicle operator and Naog on the day of the incident. Investigators said Ngeskebei admitted selling a speaker to Cell Corea, and that a Harbinger speaker was later recovered and positively identified by the victim as stolen property.
Arrest warrants were issued February 20 by CNMI Superior Court Judge Theresa Kim-Tenorio, DPS said. The suspects were transported to the Department of Corrections to be booked and detained as the case remains under investigation.
DPS said the vehicle’s operator has not been charged and the RAV4 was not impounded.
