27 Oct 2011

Concern in CNMI over tourists targetted by thieves

5:43 pm on 27 October 2011

There is concern in the Northern Marianas over a rise in thefts of valuables belonging to tourists.

In a new incident, a Japanese couple on holiday in Saipan had belongings stolen from their car while they were sight-seeing.

Our correspondent Mark Rabago says the string of thefts is worrying as it can affect the islands' reputation as a tourist destination.

"This happens when the economy is spiralling down. People resort to desperate means to make ends meet. It's not more of the physical damage or the tourists losing a couple hundred bucks, it's the reputation of CNMI being damaged here."

Mark Rabago reporting from Saipan