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DFS Garapan burglarized
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Posted on Dec 03 2006
The main Duty Free Shoppers in Garapan, which has a 24-hour security service and has the reputation of having the most high-tech surveillance camera in the CNMI, was burglarized early Saturday morning.
Saipan Tribune learned from sources that an unidentified person wearing a bonnet managed to steal some expensive Chopard watches and jewelry from one of the DFS showcases at about 3am.
The suspect managed to enter the store by breaking the glass window near the main DFS entrance in front of Joeten Hafa Adai building along Beach Road.
Once inside, the suspect broke the showcase glass containing Chopard watches and jewelry.
The security alarm did not activate, the Saipan Tribune was told.
The prices of Chopard watches on display range from $2,400 to $22,000 each. The brand name Chopard from Switzerland is famous for its glamorous watches, including the famous Happy Diamonds.
DFS Saipan president Marian Aldan-Pierce yesterday confirmed to Saipan Tribune that there was a break-in but that she doesn’t know all of the details.
Asked how much or how many Chopard watches were stolen, Aldan-Pierce only stated: “It’s quite a lot!”
“I could not go into details because it’s still under investigation and we’re just working with the police on this thing,” she said.
The DFS president said it is the first time they had been burglarized.
As to the question of a possible inside job, Aldan-Pierce said she really doesn’t know and that she would rather not comment on that because it’s still under investigation.
She said she believes that the incident is an indication of the challenges in the economy.
“We just don’t want people to think that this is the right thing to do,” she pointed out.
On the problem of burglary cases in the CNMI, Aldan-Pierce said “It’s horrible!’
“There’s so many things (burglaries) going on right now. I think it’s everybody’s challenge from the public and the private sectors. It’s very hard economic times for a lot of different people. I think it’s a little bit out of desperation from probably some of the people who are doing these,” she added.
