Tourists fall prey to bag snatchers in Susupe beach

A witness’ call to the police led to the arrest of two men who allegedly grabbed two bags that two Japanese tourists had placed on the table of a pavilion at Susupe Beach Park on Friday.

Felix Reyes Agulto Jr., also known as Jun, 45, and Jeremiah Jerry Pangareon Seman, 31, were both arrested for theft.

Police detective Jesus K. Wabol said that Agulto and Seman both confessed to stealing the bags and even guided the officers to the location where they threw them.

Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho imposed yesterday a $2,000 cash bail for each defendant. Preliminary hearing will be on July 20 at 9am.

Assistant public defender Michael Sato was appointed as counsel for Agulto. A private counsel will be appointed for Seman. Assistant attorney general Barbara Cepeda appeared for the government at the hearing.

Wabol stated in his report that patrol police officers were dispatched on Friday at 5:59pm to a theft in progress at Susupe Beach Park.

One officer caught two men who matched the description of the suspects along Totcha Avenue near Mobil Gas Station in Susupe. Police later identified the two as Agulto and Seman.

A witness identified Agulto and Seman as the persons who grabbed the tourists’ bags.

The witness said he saw Agulto and Seman sneaking around Susupe Beach Park by the children’s playground.

Seman then allegedly walked to the pavilion, grabbed a bag, and ran to Agulto in the beach area. The two proceeded to the grassy area near Saipan Community School, where they opened the stolen bag.

The two went back to the playground and hid behind the restroom. At this juncture, the witness called the police.

The suspects were then seen running toward Beach Road.

Wabol said Agulto admitted to police that it was Seman who first grabbed the bag but then threw it to the beach side behind Saipan Community School because there were no valuables inside.

Agulto said he grabbed the other bag and threw it later by a house where the police caught them.

Wabol said Seman also admitted to police his participation in the crimes.

The two led police to where they threw the bags.

The tourists later identified the bags as their property that they had placed on the pavilion’s table.

One bag contained undergarments and cut up materials, while the other contained two camera lenses and two film cartridges, police said.