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Court sets trial of alleged poker robbers
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Posted on Aug 08 2004
Two men tagged behind the attempted robbery of a poker establishment almost four months ago will face trial beginning the end of this month after contesting the federal charges against them.
John G. Pangelinan and Daniel Muna Quitugua pleaded not guilty Friday to a superseding indictment charging them with Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.
The defendants’ attorneys, Joseph Camacho and Loren Sutton, assisted them during the arraignment.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Alex R. Munson set the trial date to begin on Aug. 30. He remanded the defendants to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.
The defendants allegedly conspired to rob the Capitol Poker in Sadog Tasi last April 29, during the scheduled State of the Commonwealth Address of Gov. Juan N. Babauta. This meant that most policemen were in distant Susupe to secure dignitaries and officials.
At least one of the suspects reportedly brandished a gun when they attempted to rob the poker establishment.
Investigation revealed that, although the defendants did not get any money from the Capitol Poker, one of them allegedly shot and injured two of the establishment’s employees, Angelo Miclat Laborce and Yun Ji Jiang.
Security guard Laborce and cashier Jiang reportedly sustained wounds on their arms.
The two defendants allegedly wore masks to conceal their identities during the failed robbery attempt and sped off using a vehicle without a license plate, before eventually falling into the hands of authorities.
The Attorney General’s Office had also separately filed with the CNMI Superior Court criminal charges against the two defendants.
CNMI chief prosecutor David Hutton filed against Pangelinan charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and two counts each of assault with a dangerous weapon and aggravated assault and battery.
Hutton also accused Quitugua of conspiring in the commission of robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon and aggravated assault and battery. (John Ravelo)
