Previous Story
Cops target Marpi thieves
|
Posted on Nov 12 2006
The Department of Public Safety has identified as among its top priorities the issue of burglars who are victimizing tourists and joggers in Marpi.
Acting police director Capt. Pete Guerrero said in an interview with Saipan Tribune that the department has instructed not only patrol and traffic officers but also boating safety personnel to conduct more routine patrols in Marpi to address these burglars and robbers operating in that area.
“There is only one place now that is hurting us, the Suicide Cliff area,” Guerrero said.
The acting police director said burglary and robbery cases are not happening lately at the Grotto, Bird Island, and Banzai Cliff because of the security guards hired by the Marianas Visitors Authority.
“But Suicide Cliff does not have any. Why? I really don’t know,” he said.
Guerrero said they are concentrating high police visibility enforcement to address the problem.
Earlier, DPS Commissioner Rebecca Warfield disclosed that a team has been assigned to focus on Marpi. She refused to elaborate so not to jeopardize ongoing operations.
Last week, a tourist was robbed by an unidentified young man at the Grotto dive spot. The incident happened at night.
Last week, burglars struck at the Suicide Cliff, breaking into a vehicle belonging to a couple.
Many tourists and joggers had been victimized by burglars operating at tourist spots in Marpi in the last few months. None of those cases have been solved so far.
The burglars operate by snatching valuables left behind in the cars of tourists. They then take refuge in the thick vegetation near the area.
