Caught on tape: men rob Sinajana store

by Nick Delgado

Guam - Two men armed with knives robbed a store in Sinajana on Thursday night. The suspects fled the scene, but what may be helpful to the case is surveillance video, as the entire incident was caught on tape.

It was about ten o'clock Thursday evening - closing time for Won Market, but apparently two men had other plans for the Sinajana shop. Video surveillance shows two men with t-shirts wrapped around their face entering the store, shutting the door behind them and turning the hours of business sign around to indicate the store is closed. Store owners declined an on camera interview, but the video pretty much speaks for itself. The first suspect entered the store and grabbed the cashier, holding her at knife point.

Store owners did say once the suspects realized she did not have access to the money, they then headed towards the rear of the store where they came across the manager. The manager was nearly stabbed according to one of the store owners. But the manager grabbed a broomstick, striking the suspect's hand. The two then ran out of the store, as the manager chased them with the stick, but before they left the shirt on one of the suspect's face fell.

It's part of the evidence Guam Police have to find the pair. Hagatna Precinct officers responded to the incident. Police say the first male suspect is described as being possibly Micronesian, last seen wearing a brown shirt over his head, blue long sleeve shirt and dark pants, while the second male suspect was described also as possibly Micronesian wearing a cami shirt and dark pants. No one was injured and the men fled without taking anything from the store.

Storeowners do suggest that if anyone is involved in an incident like this that they don't fight back, and wait to call police. They say they should do this to prevent from being injured or the incident becoming fatal.

The store owners say this is not the first time they were victims to armed robbery, and that the last time the suspect had a gun. This incident follows last week's arrest of three men who were caught after authorities raided their homes in Barrigada and Yigo. The men were arrested for a robbing Nana's Store in Agana Heights at gunpoint. Police have not said if there is any connection to the cases.

If anyone has information about the robbery, please contact GPD or Guam Crimestoppers at 477-4357 (HELP).