2 in alleged True Value burglary plead not guilty

The two men who allegedly burglarized the True Value Hardware and the I Love Saipan Pop Up Store have pleaded not guilty to all 16 charges filed against them.

Steven Hasugulgam, 22, and Irwin Duane Teregeyo, 19, were charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit burglary and theft, four counts of burglary, four counts of theft, and four counts of criminal mischief following the burglary of both the True Value Hardware and the Pop Up Store back in December.

Both Hasugulgam and Teregeyo entered pleas of not guilty to all counts before Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert Naraja.

Hasugulgam and Teregeyo are set for status conferences on March 12.

Police said they received a call about a burglary and theft incident at True Value Hardware on Beach Road, Garapan and at I Love Saipan Pop Up Store on Middle Road in Chalan Laulau on Dec. 27, 2018.

At 8:33am, police learned that the steel bars leading to the back door of True Value Hardware were pried off the wall and the steel door was pried open too.

In a review of the business establishment’s surveillance camera, police saw two individuals with covered faces breaking the back door and entering at 2:34am.

Police noted that one of the suspects walked with a limp and had a tattoo on his left forearm.

Police said the two suspects proceeded to the cash register and pried it open with a crowbar. The two then took some tools and left through the back door.

On Dec, 27, 2018, at 8:56am, police were informed that I Love Saipan Pop Up Store was broken into through the back door.

Police reviewed the store’s surveillance camera and saw that a white Toyota Corolla had entered the dirt road heading to the back of I Love Saipan. Two men then broke into the back door at 4am.

Police noticed that one of the suspects had a tattoo on his left forearm. The suspects left the store at about 5:28am.

Police concluded that True Value Hardware and I Love Saipan were robbed by the same suspects.

At 11:06am on the same day, police initiated a traffic stop on a white Toyota Corolla at the Sadog Tasi Gas Station for a faulty break light.

Police noticed a red beanie, several G-Shock containers, and a red drone on the backseat floor of the vehicle.

When asked for his driver’s license, the operator of the vehicle said he did not have any. Police also observed that the driver had a tattoo on his left forearm.

Police said employees of both business establishments identified the items in the vehicle as the stolen items.

The other items recovered by the police included a generator, two duffle bags containing assorted clothing and watches, portable chargers, and anti-theft devices.

Hasugulgam later told police that burglarizing both stores was Teregeyo’s idea.