Teen who allegedly beat up cousin in car’s trunk arrested

Tinian police arrested yesterday morning a teenager who allegedly beat up his cousin inside a car’s trunk out of jealousy.

Demetrius H. Pettis, 18, was arrested for assault and battery. He was taken to Saipan Superior Court yesterday afternoon for his initial appearance. Bail was set at $1,000 cash.

Detective Shawn Lee SN. Borja stated in his report that last June 10 at 10:13pm, two police officers responded to Huang Shun Supermarket after receiving a call about persons fighting in the area. When the officers arrived, the suspect had already left with some friends.

The officers saw the victim, a 14-year-old boy, sitting in a parked car and crying. The officers noticed bruising and swelling under the boy’s right eye.

The suspect’s girlfriend told police that she witnessed Pettis repeatedly punching the victim, who was in the car’s trunk.

In an interview on the phone by police officer Roland San Nicolas on June 16, the victim stated that he and some friends, including the suspect’s girlfriend, had dinner at Monster Pizza on June 10.

After their dinner, the group headed to Huang Shun Supermarket to get drinks. As they were pulling in, the group noticed Pettis’ car parked at the store.

The victim’s group decided to drive to a poker arcade behind the Huang Shun Supermarket. The victim then hid in the car’s trunk because he knew that Pettis would be mad at him or any guy who is in the same car with his girlfriend.

With the victim still in the trunk, they drove back to Huang Shun Supermarket.

The victim later heard Pettis asking the people in the car where he was. No one in the group told the suspect where the victim was.

Pettis, however, forcibly opened the car’s trunk and began punching the victim in the face. The boy said he could not remember how the beating ended because he lost consciousness.

Witnesses said the companions of Pettis pulled him away from the victim.

The victim said that Pettis also punched him in January when he saw his girlfriend’s number on the victim’s cell phone.

Detective Borja stated that Pettis has a history with the Tinian Department of Public Safety of beating up young individuals and drinking alcohol.

Last June 26, the victim’s mother, who flew in from Hawaii after learning about the beating, called Saipan Tribune and disclosed the beating of his son, saying the Tinian police have yet to arrest the suspect.