Olaitiman apprehended after police manhunt

A manhunt concluded yesterday after a man charged with assault and battery, disturbing the peace, and kidnapping was apprehended at the Saipan Vegas in Chalan Lau Lau.

According to the Department of Public Safety, officers had been seeking the community’s help in locating Michael “Mike” Olaitiman, who was wanted for a multiple of serious charges.

DPS acting public informant officer and assistant chief of police Simon Manacop shared in a press release that on July 4, 2024, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho issued an arrest warrant for Olaitiman, with bail at $50,000.

Knowing that Olaitiman’s last known residence is in Dan Dan Village, DPS began searching for Olaitiman and asked willing community members to join the search.

DPS later received a tip on Olaitiman’s whereabouts which led to his arrest at 4:09pm yesterday. He was found inside a vehicle parked at the parking lot of the Saipan Vegas in Chalan Lau Lau.

Olaitiman is now detained at the Department of Corrections pending a bail hearing that is scheduled this morning in Superior Court. DPS would like to thank the community for their assistance that led to the apprehension of Olaitiman.

Last Thursday, June 27, at 7:43pm, DPS officers were dispatched to a disturbing the peace complaint at a residence on Capitol Hill. Officers learned from a female victim that Olaitiman had been disturbing and beating her for over a week.

Investigations revealed that the victim was slapped on the face while she was asleep. She had later walked to a relative’s house and called for police assistance. Officers further learned that a week prior to her reporting the incident, Olaitiman had held the victim and her children inside her apartment and would not let them out. He would threaten to kill her and her children, and would pinch her hard in her stomach. Olaitiman had also grabbed her son on the neck after he tried to stop him from beating the victim.

Authorities urge anyone who needs to report a crime or has become aware of criminal activity to contact the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (670) 664-9042, DPS headquarters at (670) 664-9001, or the Crime Stoppers Hotline at (670) 234-7272. Callers who call om Crime Stoppers can choose to remain anonymous.

Olaitaman