Man arrested for allegedly burglarizing van at Grotto

On Sept.12, 2019, at about 4:04pm, the CNMI Department of Public Safety received a 911 call reporting a burglary incident at the Grotto dive spot in Marpi.

Officers dispatched to the scene met with the caller—an employee of a tour company—at the scene, who told them that he was making his way toward the company van when he noticed an unknown individual standing on the driver’s side step and reaching in through the driver’s window.

As the caller walked closer toward the van, he noticed that the driver’s window was shattered, allowing the unknown male access. The caller then confronted the suspect, who was startled and quickly jumped off the van, dropping two bags on the pavement. 

The suspect was described as 5’10” tall, slim built, with bald-like short hair, light skin complexioned and several missing front teeth. The suspect was wearing a red long-sleeved shirt, a military-style pair of long pants, and a pair of black shoes.

The suspect quickly walked away from the van, holding a socket wrench. The suspect told the victim that it was not him who broke the van’s window, that it was someone in the jungle. The victim followed the suspect to his vehicle, a silver Toyota RAV4, which was parked near the company van. The suspect got in and locked himself inside the RAV4. The victim called the suspect out to talk but the suspect sped away.

The victim called 911 stating the license plate of the silver Toyota RAV4. The vehicle was later found to be a rental vehicle. Further investigation revealed the vehicle was rented to Calistro Crisostimo. 

On Sept. 13, 2019, detectives met with the victim and showed him a photo lineup of six individuals with similar features as Crisostimo. Within a few seconds the victim pointed at the photo of Crisostimo and identified him as the suspect who broke into the company van.

On Sept. 17, 2019, at 10:08am Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho signed the arrest warrant for Crisostimo for the charges of burglary, theft, and criminal mischief. With bail set at an amount the court finds suitable to fit the charges.  

At about 11:41am on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, detectives arrested Crisostimo in Lower Base and brought him to the Department of Corrections where he was booked and detained. (PR)