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Speeding driver struggles with cop, leaves bag with 3 illegal handguns
Speeding driver struggles with cop, leaves bag with 3 illegal handguns
A driver who was pulled over for alleged speeding struggled with a police officer and fled on foot, leaving behind a bag that contained three illegal handguns and bullets in As Terlaje Hill on Friday morning.
Police said the suspect, Daniel Muna Quitugua II, was later arrested.
Saipan Tribune learned that Quitugua is on federal probation after serving a 120-month prison term for armed robbery at a poker arcade in 2004.
Police investigation showed that Quitugua was driving east on As Terlaje Hill when Police Officer Norris Kwon, who was using a laser speed device, observed that Quitugua was driving at 62 miles per hour in the posted 40mph.
Kwon pursued the car and pulled it over by the water tank at Northern Marianas College. Kwon then called Police Officer Travis Hurst on the radio to assist him at the scene.
Kwon issued Quitugua with a citation for speeding.
Kwon, however, smelled the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the car so he advised Quitugua to step out. At the time, Hurst was assisting the passenger out of the vehicle.
Quitugua leaned over and grabbed a bag from the floorboard of the passenger seat and told Kwon that he was going to take it with him.
Kwon advised Quitugua that the bag was to stay in the car. Quitugua and Kwon struggled over possession of the bag.
Quitugua then fled on foot, leaving behind the bag, which was found to contain three illegal handguns and bullets.
With the help of other police officers and anonymous 911 callers, Quitugua was apprehended at his home 20 minutes after he fled the scene.
Hurst secured the passenger in his vehicle. DPS has withheld the name of the passenger as investigation is still pending.
