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Video shows cop hitting suspect
DPS, OAG investigating incident after car chase
Law enforcers arrested after a car chase on Saipan Friday night a man when his vehicle flipped over on the grassy side of a road.
A bystander took a video of the incident, where a police officer is seen repeatedly hitting a person on the ground beside the overturned car. The officer appears to be holding a baton. Some officers were also seen rushing to the scene.
The video went viral on social media and was posted or emailed several times.
A man’s voice could be heard on the video, saying that the person being beaten up is possibly Moses Martin, a person wanted by police.
A source, however, disclosed that the person being punched on the video is not Martin but an ex-convict who is allegedly notorious for burglary and stealing cars on Saipan.
When asked about the incident on Saturday, Department of Public Safety spokesman Jason Tarkong said it is currently being investigated by the Internal Affairs Office of the Department of Public Safety in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General’s Investigative Division.
Tarkong did not provide more details about the car chase.
It’s not clear where the car overturned but many people saw the car chase in Garapan.
In Martin’s case, Tarkong issued a Crime Stoppers Crime of the Week notice on Thursday.
Tarkong said that on Monday, Dec. 5, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho issued an arrest warrant against the 31-year-old Martin for illegal possession of a controlled substance.
Camacho imposed a $50,000 cash bail in the warrant.
Tarkong said law enforcers are searching for Martin, a Palauan national, and that he is still at large.
“If spotted, do not approach. Call 911 or Crime Stoppers should you wish to remain anonymous,” Tarkong said in the press release.
As of yesterday, there was no information if Martin has already been arrested.
