Man allegedly steals 3 fruit bats, 1 coconut crab from Saipan Zoo

A man was arrested on Friday for allegedly stealing three fruit bats and one coconut crab from the Saipan Zoo in Sadog Tasi last month and early this month.

Ignacio C. Camacho, 25, was served with an arrest warrant in As Matuis on charges of illegal possession of an endangered/threatened species and theft.

At yesterday’s initial appearance hearing, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho imposed a $25,000 cash bail for Camacho’s temporary release. Preliminary hearing will be on June 24 at 1:30pm.

Division of Fish and Wildlife conservation inspector Erwin T. Flores stated in his report that on May 20 and June 1, 2014, Saipan Zoo owner Frank Aldan reported to the Department of Public Safety that unidentified person or persons broke into the zoo and stole three fruit bats and property of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Office of Law Enforcement.

Flores said an interview with a witness last June 6 revealed that Camacho and Germinaro Inos were at a Laundromat south of Tanapag Elementary School last May 9. Camacho allegedly showed the witness one dead fruit bat, saying they just shot the bat that early morning of May 9.

The witness, however, did not see any bullet holes on the bat’s wings or body. There was also no blood on the bat.

Flores said he interviewed Inos on June 12, during which Inos disclosed that he was with Camacho at a poker arcade near Tanapag Elementary School last May 9. Inos said that Camacho told him that he was going to steal fruit bats and a coconut crab at the zoo and eventually sell them.

At 2am, Inos and Camacho asked someone to drop them off at the Game and Poker in Sadog Tasi, which is located near the zoo.

While inside the poker room, Camacho again said that he would steal fruit bats and coconut crabs at the zoo and sell them.

Camacho then walked across the street and into the vegetation leading to the zoo. After 30 minutes to an hour, Camacho returned to the poker room, carrying one fruit bat and one coconut crab.

When Camacho failed to sell the fruit bat that morning, May 9, he also showed the bat to another person (witness) that afternoon.

Inos stated that Camacho admitted that he was also responsible for stealing two fruit bats from the zoo sometime early this month.