by Nick Delgado

Guam - Nine arrests were made following a two-month long investigation conducted by the Guam Police Department's Juvenile Investigation Section. Agents uncovered a large gang-related theft ring and recovered thousands of dollars worth of stolen property that evidently the kids just kept for themselves.

Seven male minors between the ages of 15 and 17 are in custody at the Department of Youth Affairs, while two adults are behind bars after JIS officers uncovered a huge gang-related theft ring. JIS Officer-In-Charge Sergeant Ron Taitano says the case began two months ago with a simple theft complaint. As agents began to further investigate, they uncovered a fairly large operation. "Officially we have a total of 38 cases that we've closed out theft of property complaints, two theft of a motor vehicles, one aggravated assault and the robbery up in Dededo," he explained.

The minors and two adults - 21-year-old Doreteo Jerome Castro Hernandez and 22-year-old Tasha Lee Salas - were actually found to be responsible for more than 50 theft cases. "They were just randomly going out through the streets enduring the late-night/early morning hours, getting dropped-off in a particular area, and just walking into the yard and stealing what they could," said Taitano.

The minors were incarcerated for robbery, aggravated assault, 38 counts of conspiracy, 38 counts of theft of property, 2 counts of theft of a motor vehicle, 38 counts of criminal trespass, curfew violations and more. Hernandez was arrested today on similar charges, while Salas faces additional charges of child abuse and family violence.

Taitano continued, "During the course of many of their nights of going out and committing these thefts, the female adult had taken her three year old daughter with them in her car while they were committing these thefts."

Authorities are not releasing the name of the gang the minors were affiliated with, as they say doing so could encourage others to commit similar crimes to gain notoriety.

Meanwhile, police have been able to recover a number of stolen items. "We've recovered approximately 25,000 worth of property this is inclusive of two vehicles, pit bulls that were valued some over 500 and some over 1,000 and a host of smaller things," said Taitano.

The Juvenile Investigation Section is urging parents to keep a close eye on their kids as they could be left footing the bill for the crimes their children commit. "You need to be cautious because unfortunately for you later on, through court prosecutions you might be liable for restitutions to the victims so it's very important that parents know exactly where they're children are at through the night and into the early morning," said Taitano.