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DPS’ release of video footage to KSPN leads to arrest of suspect
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Posted on Sep 06 2011
The release of a video footage of the robbery at Capitol Poker in Sadog Tasi to the local TV network led to the identification and subsequent arrest of the suspect, George Jones Castro, on Sunday.
The 43-year-old Castro was brought to the Superior Court yesterday morning for his initial court appearance on charges of robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, theft, and disturbing the peace. Associate judge Kenneth L. Govendo reduced Castro’s cash bail from $100,000 to $17,250.
Detective Catherine B. Pangelinan stated in her report that police, in hopes of identifying the suspect, released to KSPN on Friday the footage of a surveillance camera showing the armed robbery at Capitol Poker that took place on Aug. 29.
Pangelinan said that she and detective Jonathan Decena interviewed Castro’s sister at her residence in Tanapag on Sunday.
Pangelinan said the sister admitted seeing the KSPN newscast and recognizing the suspect as her brother, Castro.
The sister believes that the knife used in the robbery was hers because after Castro left their house in Tanapag on the morning of Aug. 29, she realized that one of her two long kitchen knives was missing.
The sister directed the detective to a residence in As Lito where she had brought Castro on Saturday because he had no place to stay.
Pangelinan said that she and other detectives proceeded to the As Lito residence where they found Castro.
Pangelinan said that Castro readily confessed to committing the armed robbery and getting the knife from his sister.
Pangelinan said the suspect claimed he got close to $2,000 cash from Capitol Poker and that he spent all that money playing poker at Sky Poker along Airport Road.
\Castro led investigators to Grand Market in Puerto Rico where he hid the knife in a small flower garden in front of the store. Investigators took the knife as evidence.
Saipan Tribune broke the news about the broad daylight robbery at Capitol Poker on Wednesday, Aug. 31. In that incident, a suspect armed with a knife tied a 56-year-old male cashier and robbed the establishment of between $2,500 and $2,700 in cash.
