Saipan — Department of Public Safety officers are investigating a robbery reported Tuesday night at the Marianas Business Plaza parking lot in Susupe, where a 17-year-old reported a suspect grabbed a Ryobi fan during a brief struggle and fled in a red Toyota Corolla.
DPS said 911 dispatch received the report at about 9:09 p.m. on February 24. Officers arrived around 9:15 p.m. and made contact with the 17-year-old, identified as the victim, and an adult female identified as the victim’s mother.
According to DPS, the teen had been waiting outside the Marianas Business Plaza Building after attending dance practice when he noticed a red Toyota Corolla circle the building twice before parking near a flower bed on the western side of the property. DPS said a male got out of the rear passenger side and approached the victim’s belongings, which had been placed near the flower bed.
DPS said the suspect attempted to take a bag and a Ryobi fan belonging to the victim. A struggle followed as the victim tried to regain his property, and the victim fell to the ground, causing the bag’s strap to break. DPS said the victim was able to keep possession of the bag, but the suspect fled in the vehicle with the Ryobi fan, which DPS valued at approximately $200 to $300.
DPS said the recovered bag contained a laptop and important documents, and no other items were reported stolen.
The suspect vehicle was described as a red Toyota Corolla, and DPS said no license plate information was obtained. DPS described the suspect who got out of the vehicle as a local male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a beer belly. DPS said two additional males were reported to have been inside the vehicle at the time.
DPS said the victim was not injured and declined medical attention.
Anyone with information is asked to contact DPS at (670) 664-9001 or (670) 664-9042. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact the NMI Crime Stoppers Hotline at (670) 234-7272.
