Man fesses up to string of burglaries

The Superior Court has found probable cause to try a man who was arrested and allegedly confessed to several thefts on Saipan.

Yesterday at the Superior Court in Susupe, a preliminary hearing was held for Shawn Reyes, 33, who is currently facing charges of theft, burglary, and conspiracy to commit both crimes. Reyes appeared before Associate Judge Lilian Tenorio yesterday with his defense attorney Emily Thomsen.

During the hearing, prosecution from the Office of Attorney General, Heather Barcinas, called Department of Public Safety detective Catherine B. Pangelinan to share her encounter with Reyes and what she knew regarding the case.

Pangelinan recalled the first encounter with both Reyes and co-defendant Cherie Marie Delos Santos. She noted that police responded to a burglary in Susupe on Sept. 12, 2024, where a victim reported the theft of two DJI drones, tools, car batteries, and luggage. The stolen items were valued at over $4,000.

Last Sept. 13, police had initially stopped Reyes’ car due to a busted left rear taillight. K9 officers, alerted to the scent of drugs, asked for consent to search the car and they eventually found the stolen goods.

Delos Santos eventually told officers Reyes broke into the house in Susupe twice and proceeded to lead them to several other places where Reyes had siphoned gas. “She led us to 12 cases,” said Pangelinan.

She also said Delos Santos was the operator of the vehicle when Reyes did the deeds. Soon after, an arrest warrant was issued and officers executed the arrest on the same day.

Pangelinan shared to the court that Reyes also admitted to the crime, leading officers to 14 other cases including the main burglary.

According to Pangelinan, Delos Santos said Reyes traded the drones for meth, while Reyes said he gave it to someone, whom DPS filed a search warrant for after.

Upon the facts that Reyes broke into the victim’s home twice, and stole items on both occasions, the prosecution asked the court to add another count of burglary for the second break-in as well as theft. There were no objections from the defense.

Tenorio said that due to the testimony and documentation presented, the court finds probable cause to proceed to trial.

The co-defendant in the case, Delos Santos, was also present with her lawyer, but waived her right to a preliminary hearing. The duo will appear for their arraignment on Oct. 7, 2024 at 9 am.