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Court rejects bail for poker robbery suspect
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Posted on Jun 02 2000
Another suspect charged before the U.S. District Court in connection with a string of robberies on Saipan will remain under the custody of both local and federal authorities pending trial of the case.
Judge Alex R. Munson said Kenneth Teigiya Dowai is a “substantial risk” to the people in the community due to the severity of the charges he’s facing in court.
He set no bail for his temporary release from detention during a hearing of his case yesterday. Mr. Dowai was charged last Friday with five counts of conspiracy to commit offense, interference with commerce by robbery and use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
Five other defendants are facing similar charges in the federal court — Joaquin Dela Cruz Cangco, Sidney Capelle Kani, Juan Teigita, Rodney Temei and Jeffery Teigita.
Four of the suspects, except for Mr. Cangco, were earlier arrested by police and FBI agents. Judge Munson also set no bail during their hearing Tuesday.
Mr. Dowai is currently detained at the Division of Corrections in Susupe after he was charged in the Superior Court stemming from the same incident that took place in early January, according to lead prosecutor U.S. Assistant Attorney David T. Wood.
Based on court papers, the defendants allegedly conspired to rob the Sun Poker of approximately $2,000 after beating its cashier Elahi Md. Ashik last Jan. 6.
They also reportedly conspired to rob nearby establishment, LJ’s store, of $200 after pointing a .22 caliber rifle to cashier Lin Mei Huang last Jan. 26.
The island has been struck by a string of robberies since early this year, mostly poker arcades and convenience stores. Authorities fear that these incidents are linked with the growing drug problem here. (BS)
