by Nick Delgado

Guam - Guam Police officers were able to close a troubling carjacking case that happened at the beginning of the week in Dededo. Four teenagers are behind bars for allegedly beating a man and stealing his car. The carjacking, robbery and attempted kidnapping incident occurred early Monday morning in the northern village.

The victim parked along Route 3 in the FAA area and was waiting for his mother to return from her morning walk. Three individuals approached him asking for a ride to a store along Ysengsong Road. While the man agreed, it was during the drive the suspects asked him to take them instead to Chalan Palauan, where the alleged attack occurred. The man was beaten and punched in the face as he was choked from behind.

GPD Spokesperson Officer A.J. Balajadia explains how they were able to wrap the case so quickly, saying, "Having the community come forward and providing us with information, a citizen did bring one of the suspects to the Dededo Precinct and because of that and as a result of that we were able to close out this case."

Arrested were David Taitingfong Pocaigue Jr. and Justin Ignacio Cruz (both 18) on charges of robbery, aggravated assault, theft of a motor vehicle, kidnapping, felonious restraint, conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit theft of a motor vehicle, jurisdiction over and adult, and guilt established by complicity. Police also arrested 17-year-old Jessie Alfonso Nojadera, who faces the same charges and is being tried as an adult.

"The reason for that is because the seriousness of this case and the charges, the allegations that are made in this case is serious enough that warrants the level of charging this minor as an adult," said Balajadia.

A 15-year-old girl was also confined at the Department of Youth Affairs on charges of robbery, aggravated assault, kidnapping, felonious restraint, theft of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit robbery, curfew violation and beyond control.

Aside from nabbing the suspects, police were also able to recover the stolen vehicle. According to Balajadia, it was a citizen who was watching our evening newscast that heard the description of the victim's car and immediately called police. "That vehicle that was put out over the news was located up in Dollar Housing in Dededo," he confirmed.

And while GPD has closed this case, they're hoping to prevent anymore from happening in the future by reminding the public to always careful. "I think it's in our nature to be good people and to want to look out for our fellow persons out there but we need to be cautions as well. Don't open your car door and just let anybody that you don't know get in because it could lead to something and this particular case it did," he said. "Don't answer you door if you're not familiar with who is knocking on your door and just don't feel comfortable about the person that is at your front door then contact the police."

All four suspects remain in custody of the Department of Corrections and DYA. They will go up for their magistrates hearing tomorrow in the Superior court at 2pm before Judge Alberto Tolentino.