Cops allegedly accost 3 that rented ‘stolen’ car

A family of three had just rented a car to help them run errands for an upcoming baby shower when, while at the Sugar Dock in Chalan Kanoa, a swarm of armed police officers suddenly surrounded them and accused them of stealing the car.

It turned out that the car rental company, Micronesia Rent A Car, had earlier reported the car as stolen after a prior renter failed to return the vehicle in a timely manner. Micronesia then failed to inform DPS that the car had ultimately been returned and was no longer considered “stolen.”

Now the family of three—Davie B. Diaz, Kathy C. Tenorio, and Kristy R. Diaz—is suing Micronesia Rent A Car and its owner Yu Li for negligence, violation of the Consumer Protection Act, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Davie Diaz is the husband of Tenorio and the father of Kristy Diaz. They are demanding an unspecified amount of damages, court costs, and attorney’s fees.

Saipan Tribune failed to get the contact number of Micronesia and Li for comment.

According to Diaz’s counsel, Samuel I. Mok, his clients rented a 2007 beige/gold Toyota Camry with license plate ADM-011 from Micronesia Rent A Car on May 4, 2013.

Shortly after renting the car, Davie Diaz and Tenorio drove it to Sugar Dock near the Aquarius Beach Tower Hotel in order to pick up relatives who were swimming at the beach with other members of the community, including friends and neighbors.

Mok said at 4pm, eight to nine DPS police officers wearing tactical gear confronted Davie Diaz and Tenorio and accused them of driving a stolen car.

Police officers surrounded Davie Diaz and Tenorio and questioned them in an aggressive manner for allegedly stealing the car or being in possession of a stolen vehicle.

By this time, Mok said, about 100 onlookers had gathered to watch the spectacle of the plaintiffs being apprehended, accused, and almost arrested for allegedly stealing a car by a tactical team of officers driving a police van with “Explosive” marked prominently on its side.

Mok said Davie Diaz and Tenorio attempted to explain to officers that they had legitimately rented the car earlier that day from Micronesia Rent A Car and produced a car rental receipt as proof of their claims.

“Unfortunately, plaintiffs were still ordered by DPS to exit their vehicle and to remove all of their belongings from the car in front of the crowd of onlookers,” he said.

Mok said despite his clients’ insistence that it was all a mistake, they were still treated like criminals by DPS up until the time they were finally cleared and allowed to leave the scene.

“The profound embarrassment, humiliation, stress, fear, and anxiety experienced by the plaintiffs as a result of the situation was entirely avoidable had the defendants exercised reasonable care in the manner in which they operated their business,” he said.

Mok said as a result, Davie Diaz exacerbated a prior heart condition because of the unnecessary drama that occurred that required him to receive emergency medical treatment at the Commonwealth Health Center later that evening.