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North Star office burglarized
Accounting office also burglarized a week ago; donation box at Mt. Carmel church destroyed, money stolen
The North Star office in Chalan Kanoa was burglarized and $1,500 worth of computer, cell phones, and other tools were stolen on Good Friday.
Saipan Tribune learned that stolen were an iMac desktop, a set of computer speakers, two cell phones, tools, and other items.
The burglary was discovered on Friday at 5am when North Star graphic artist Michael Temperante reported to prepare for their special Easter issue. North Star is a publication of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa.
When Temperante noticed that the lock to the main door on the first floor of the two-story Joeten and Daidai Social Hall Diocesan Curia Building was destroyed, he immediately called their maintenance personnel and 911.
Once inside the building, the suspect or suspects allegedly proceeded to the second floor and forcibly opened the door of the North Star office by smashing the glass portion of the door.
The office of a nun was also burglarized, but no item was stolen.
The North Star’s room, where Temperante holds office, was ransacked. The suspect tried but failed to open the vault, where cameras and video equipment were placed. The vault, however, could not be used anymore because of damage.
The possible exit entry was the building’s back door.
Saipan Tribune also learned that last March 27, the accounting office of the Diocese, which is also located on the second floor of the same building, had also been burglarized, and a small vault was destroyed and $250 cash was stolen from it.
The suspect or suspects reportedly gained entry by destroying the lock of the back door. Because of the incident, the Diocese secured the back door, but last Friday, the suspect entered through the main door.
After Friday’s incident, the Diocese has hired a security staff to watch the building as well as the Mt. Carmel Cathedral.
Seven or eight years ago, North Star was also burglarized and about three cameras were stolen. All these incidents remain unsolved.
Last February, the donation box inside Mt. Carmel Church was destroyed and money was stolen, Saipan Tribune was told.
