by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Three men are being held behind bars accused of eluding police officers in a high speed chase on Monday night. Police also believe they are responsible for numerous breakins and thefts that have been reported in recent weeks.

It all began with a report of a suspicious vehicle.

Thanks to a resident who gave police the license plate number and description of the vehicle, Hagatna Precinct officers responded to the area and located the vehicle. But as police sought to ask the driver questions, he fled and engaged police in a hot pursuit that began in Mangilao and ended in Yigo.

Guam Police Department spokesperson Officer A.J. Balajadia says the suspects were determined to get away, so much so that they continued to elude police eve with a flat tire that was sparking on the road. Police say the chase ended when the driver rammed the stolen car into a patrol car. 27-year-old Jesse Jay San Agustin, 24-year-old Daniel Thomas Sanchez, and 31-year-old Shawn Michael Rosario were arrested on a slew of charges including theft of a motor vehicle, theft of property, possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, destruction of evidence, resisting arrest, burglary, and guilt established by complicity.

Specific details of the crimes the three men are alleged to have committed have not been disclosed by police and the three are scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge Alberto Tolentino on Wednesday.

Police have not said how many cases they believe the three are linked to but in just the last four days, officers with GPD received more than 200 calls from the public. More than 75 of those were for reports of motor vehicle thefts, robberies, burglaries, and theft of property calls.

Officer Balajadia says the department has seen a major spike in theft related cases. The public is reminded to be vigilant, report any suspicious activity, and keep doors on cars and homes locked.