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Man stabbed for confronting thief
A man who allegedly stabbed another man who had tried to stop him from robbing the New Chang Ming Market is now facing charges in Superior Court.
Last Tuesday, the CNMI government filed a case against 43-year-old Ken Matzue for allegedly stabbing a man who stopped him from stealing four pieces of beer at the store last Saturday.
Matzue, who is detained at the Department of Corrections, faces a bail of $15,000 set by Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph Camacho.
Matzue is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon; preliminary hearing is on Oct. 22, 2018.
Matzue is prohibited from being near the victim and the New Chang Ming Market. He is also barred from traveling.
Matzue will be represented by Office of the Public Defender’s Heather Zona and the government will be represented by assistant attorney general Robert Glass Jr.
According to the Department of Public Safety, police responded to a report of a robbery and stabbing incident at New Chang Ming Market in Garapan on Sunday night, Oct. 14.
The report states that police arrived at the scene of the crime last Sunday at 6:59pm and found the victim with lacerations on his chest.
During an interview with the victim, he told police that Matzue came into the store and went straight for the chiller where the beer was held. The victim said he allegedly saw Matzue place four cans of beer into his bag and walked over to the cash register with one beer in his hand.
The victim told policw that he followed Matzue to the counter to ensure that he pays for the beers in his bag but Matzue only paid for the one can he was holding in his hand.
After paying for the beer, the victim told Matzue to take out the four beers in his bag. When Matzue opened his bag, the victim took out the beers and did not realize that Matzue pulled a knife out of his right pocket.
Matzue allegedly stabbed the victim on his chest but the victim blocked the action and sustained a stab to the hand and small puncture to the chest.
The victim immediately ran away from Matzue and contacted 911 to report the incident.
