A young Russian family that was visiting Saipan drove their rental car, a 2009 Toyota Camry, on a sightseeing trip to Tank Beach in Kagman III on Wednesday afternoon (March 7).
Incidentally, Tank Beach is where a rusted-out Sherman tank remains exposed to the elements in a few feet of water and is a great backdrop for touristy photos.
The Russian family was only at the beach a short time, largely to take photos of each other, but when they returned to their vehicle, they discovered that their vehicle's rear window was broken and several valuable personal items stolen, including an Olympus waterproof camera worth $500, sunglasses worth $100, a toy car collection valued at over $500 and three hotel room keys.
COMMENT: It is uncertain whether the valuables stolen were locked in the trunk or left in three front or back seats where they might have attracted the attention of local thieves.
Rental cars, which are usually identifiable as such, are usually not a good place to safeguard valuables. Generally speaking, such valuables are better locked in secure luggage in reputable hotels.
As I have mentioned in a number of other postings, street crime in Saipan has risen dramatically over the last couple of years. Consequently, all visitors should review my postings to learn of the criminal tactics used, before initiating travel. Rental cars are targeted, in particular.
Tourists and travelers who have home owner's or rental insurance should always try to obtain a local police report describing their theft, robbery or loss, so as to be able to make a financial claim against such policies when they return home.
Additionally, it is wise to check in advance and see if a country visited has as a crime victim compensation program.
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of 44.55 sq mi (115.4 km2). The population is roughly 48,220.
Incidentally, Tank Beach is where a rusted-out Sherman tank remains exposed to the elements in a few feet of water and is a great backdrop for touristy photos.
The Russian family was only at the beach a short time, largely to take photos of each other, but when they returned to their vehicle, they discovered that their vehicle's rear window was broken and several valuable personal items stolen, including an Olympus waterproof camera worth $500, sunglasses worth $100, a toy car collection valued at over $500 and three hotel room keys.
COMMENT: It is uncertain whether the valuables stolen were locked in the trunk or left in three front or back seats where they might have attracted the attention of local thieves.
Rental cars, which are usually identifiable as such, are usually not a good place to safeguard valuables. Generally speaking, such valuables are better locked in secure luggage in reputable hotels.
As I have mentioned in a number of other postings, street crime in Saipan has risen dramatically over the last couple of years. Consequently, all visitors should review my postings to learn of the criminal tactics used, before initiating travel. Rental cars are targeted, in particular.
Tourists and travelers who have home owner's or rental insurance should always try to obtain a local police report describing their theft, robbery or loss, so as to be able to make a financial claim against such policies when they return home.
Additionally, it is wise to check in advance and see if a country visited has as a crime victim compensation program.
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of 44.55 sq mi (115.4 km2). The population is roughly 48,220.
