The Superior Court has dismissed the case against an ex-convict who was tagged as among two men who staged a daylight robbery at a pawnshop in Chalan Kanoa that injured two persons.
Associate Judge Perry B. Inos on Tuesday dismissed the case of Fernando E. Quitano without prejudice upon the CNMI government's motion. Dismissal without prejudice means the prosecution can re-file the case in the future.
Assistant attorney general George Hasselback represented the government at the hearing. Attorney Robert Torres served as counsel for Quitano.
Saipan Tribune learned that Hasselback moved to dismiss the case because the officer in charge, Detective Christopher Leon Guerrero, is in jail after the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested him for allegedly extorting money from unlicensed taxi drivers.
A witness said Quitano was smiling when he emerged from the courtroom after the dismissal of his case.
It is not clear yet whether the FBI will step into the investigation of the armed robbery case.
Police recently arrested the 25-year-old Quitano on charges of attempted murder, armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and contempt of court.
Quitano was tagged as the second suspect in the robbery at the 24 Hours Pawnshop, formerly called the Pink House Pawnshop, that occurred last Oct. 23.
Detective Leon Guerrero stated in his report that the footage of a surveillance camera at the pawnshop helped investigators identify Quitano.
Leon Guerrero said Quitano's accomplice, Marlon Martin, hit the cashier's booth's door with a sledgehammer, then Quitano joined in by smashing the door with a crowbar. The two then allegedly attacked two persons in the pawnshop with their weapons.
Leon Guerrero said Quitano came out from the booth carrying the crowbar, machete, and bag.
The detective said the two suspects ran away, but Martin was later arrested when witnesses and one victim chased him.
Leon Guerrero said Quitano was not arrested because he got into a getaway car that was parked across the U.S. Post Office in Chalan Kanoa.
In December 2003, police arrested Quitano in connection with an armed robbery at Ling Lin Store in Chalan Kanoa on Oct. 31, 2003. Two other men were arrested.
In April 2007, police picked up Quitano and three other men a few days after they reportedly robbed the Smile Poker in Chalan Kanoa. A security guard was injured in that incident.
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