Man gets 3 years for conspiring to steal tourist’s wallet

One of two ex-convict cousins accused of robbing a female tourist in western Garapan pleaded guilty last week and was slapped with a three-year prison term.

Lucky Michael Chipuelong, also known as Michael Chipwelong, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft and admitted to violating the terms and conditions of his probation in a previous criminal conviction.

Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio sentenced the 30-year-old Chipuelong to two years in prison.

His probation was revoked and will serve one year of his suspended sentence in a previous case, without the possibility of parole.

The remaining charges of robbery and assault and battery were dropped.

Chipuelong conspired with Angel Chipuelong Ruben in stealing a purse on Aug. 31, 2017, on Saipan.

Chipuelong confessed to police that they conspired to rob the tourist and that it was Ruben who grabbed the victim’s purse.

A concerned citizen who witnessed the robbery followed the suspects’ car, resulting in the arrest of the two.