Ex-convict gets 8 yrs. in prison for gas station robbery

Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio has imposed an eight-year prison term against Joseph C. San Nicolas, an ex-convict who, together with a habitual offender, robbed the Mobil gas station in Chalan Piao.

“The court must send a strong message to defendant that such behavior is not without consequences, and must restore some sense of security to the victims and to the community,” said Kim-Tenorio in an order last week.

The judge sentenced San Nicolas to 13 years imprisonment, all suspended except for eight years, to be served without the possibility of parole. He was given credit for 58 days of time served.

San Nicolas was also ordered to pay a $500 fine, plus all court costs and probation fees, and was required to perform 300 hours of community service during a five-year supervised probation.

Kim-Tenorio said she took into account San Nicolas’ two children, his three sisters, his ailing mother, and the hardship a prison sentence would impose on them.

However, Kim-Tenorio said, she also considered San Nicolas’ five prior convictions, which include assault and battery, burglary, and robbery.

In this case, the judge pointed out that San Nicolas and his co-defendant, Christopher M. Igisomar, used dangerous weapons to forcibly rob one of the victims, Joanne Omengebar.

Along with the cash and purse, San Nicolas also took from Omengebar her sense of security, as evidenced by her statement that the experience was traumatic for her, and that she was suffering from depression and stress, Kim-Tenorio said.

The Office of the Attorney General charged San Nicolas with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, theft, and disturbing the peace.

San Nicolas pleaded guilty to robbery as part of a plea deal. The remaining charges were dropped.

San Nicolas and Igisomar robbed the Mobil gas station in Chalan Piao on Feb. 8, 2014, on Saipan. San Nicolas held a rock to the gas attendant’s neck, while Igisomar threatened the cashier, Omengebar, with a machete, and demanded that she give him money from the cash register.

The defendants then stole Omengebar’s purse and cash from the cash register.

Last September, Kim-Tenorio slapped Igisomar with an eight-year prison term, without the possibility of parole, for robbery.