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Poker robbery suspect pleads not guilty
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Posted on Jul 12 2000
Another suspect in the string of poker robberies on Saipan yesterday pled not guilty to charges filed before the U.S. District Court in a case that also involved five of his other friends.
Joaquin Dela Cruz Cango, 19, is being held on a bail of $200,000 and Judge Alex R. Munson set his trial on August 14 to coincide with the schedule of hearing on the other cases.
He was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit offense, two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
Mr. Cango and the five suspects were implicated in two robbery incidents last January, one in Sun Poker and the other in LJ’s store. They allegedly fled with $2,200 cash from the two establishments after threatening and harming their cashiers.
His co-accused, Sidney Capelle Kani, 19; Kenneth Dowai, 23; Juan Teigita, 22; Rodney Demei, 22 and Jeffery Tegei, 21, were arraigned last month and pled not guilty to the charges.
Mr. Cango fled the island after being involved in the robberies, but was arrested in Seattle by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in June.
During yesterday’s arraignment, U.S. Assistant Attorney David T. Wood recommended no bail for the suspect because of potential danger he poses to the community and possible “flight risk” due to his arrest in Seattle.
The defense lawyer argued against the prosecution’s claim and asked the court for bail for his temporary release from custody by the U.S. Marshal’s Office.
