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Trader, 70, attacked with a hammer in robbery
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Posted on Jul 06 2011
A 70-year-old Korean businessman sustained serious head injuries when an unidentified man attacked him with a hammer and robbed him near his two restaurants in western Garapan a few days ago.
The Department of Public Safety has yet to release information about the incident that occurred near the former Wax Museum of Saipan along Ginger Avenue on June 24 between 10:45pm and 11pm.
Saipan Tribune learned yesterday that the victim is Byung Deuk Lee, owner of Shinsen Sushi and Seoul One Restaurant.
Lee sustained multiple injuries in the head and neck. He is now recuperating at a hospital in South Korea, according to the victim’s family member, who asked not be identified.
Sources and the family member told Saipan Tribune that Lee had parked his car near the former Wax Museum as he had forgotten something and needed to go back to his restaurants, which are near the museum.
As Lee was getting out of his car, a man approached and grabbed his clutch bag. When he struggled, the suspect repeatedly hit his head with a hammer.
After getting the bag, the suspect ran in the direction of the USS Peleliu Club along Cpl. Derence Jack Road. The robber was believed to have a companion in a getaway vehicle.
The bloodied businessman called his son, who was in their house, located on the second floor of the building where their restaurants are located. The son proceeded to the scene and saw his father standing outside the car. The son then called police.
Police officers responded and an ambulance brought Lee to the Commonwealth Health Center.
The family member said that Lee’s bag contained no cash at the time, and that it only had a checkbook and some other items.
The following day, a police officer went to the victim’s place and returned the clutch bag that was subsequently recovered during a follow-up investigation.
On June 26 or two days later, Lee was flown to South Korea for further treatment as his injuries had become serious.
“He was really bleeding so much. He almost died,” the family member said.
Lee has been living on Saipan for 18 years.
In 2007 or 2008, a boy went inside one of Lee’s restaurants and grabbed a cash box containing $400 cash. The boy was never arrested.
