DPS probes knife-wielding burglar

The Department of Public Safety continues to investigate a recent report they received about a knife-wielding burglar who nearly injured a man whose home he had invaded in the middle of the night.

Saipan Tribune learned that the homeowner, a Navy Hill resident, had been awakened over the weekend by unexpected noise outside his bedroom. When he got up to check, that’s when he saw another man inside his home, who charged at him with a knife. Fortunately, the victim was able to lock himself inside his bedroom and called for police assistance, while shouting at the burglar that he has a gun. The burglar and his accomplice reportedly fled before the police arrived.

DPS spokesperson Fred Sato told Saipan Tribune that the case remains open, and the department continues to investigate the incident.

The alleged victim has already posted this incident on social media in a public request to identify the perpetrators, but has requested that he not be identified in this article.

According to his recounting of events in his Facebook post, the incident happened at around 4:30am on Christmas morning, when the resident was awakened by a noise that he initially ignored. He was roused from bed, though, when he heard another noise that sounded like something outside his room had fallen.

When he opened his bedroom’s door, he allegedly saw a man whom he described as young, dark-skinned, and slender. He was reportedly wearing a Fokai or Magas jersey with yellow trims, a pair of black shorts, a black and white cap, and a pair of white shoes.

The victim said he yelled at the intruder, who charged at him with a knife in his hand.

The homeowner managed to block his attacker with his bedroom’s door, which he then locked. The homeowner added that when he went to retrieve his firearm, the intruder was pounding on his door, trying to get into the room. That’s when he yelled at them that he was armed.

The victim noted that as he was calling DPS, he heard the burglar call out to a partner, leading him to believe there were two burglars in his home that night. The two burglars left before the police arrived.

Later, the homeowner learned that the burglars took down his surveillance system and unplugged his internet router.

DPS is seeking the community’s help in locating the two suspects, who are considered armed and dangerous.

Members of the CNMI community are also encouraged to be cautious and aware of their surroundings and to call for help when needed.