Help sought after cop car damaged
by Mindy Aguon
Guam - The Guam Police Department is seeking the public's help in locating the individual(s) responsible for damaging a police car. GPD Spokesperson Officer A.J. Balajadia says the patrol car was found damaged at the police department's motor pool at the Public Works compound. He confirms the patrol car is the same one that was involved in a crash on Route 1 during a high speed chase involving a 16-year-old male.
A civilian police reservist was injured in that crash while responding to the hot pursuit. Balajadia said, "If they think lifting a patrol car and damaging it is going to stop us from making the necessary arrests on crimes against our community, they're mistaken - completely mistaken.
"When the suspect's family members are in need of police services and we can't get to them in a timely manner (because of the shortage of working vehicles) they can remember and think back about the time when they lifted this vehicle and purposely damaged it."
GPD's motor pool at the Public Works compound is supposed to be secured with a guard keeping watch of the grounds. While two surveillance cameras are at the warehouse, they were inoperable. Police are asking that anyone with information contact Guam Crimestoppers at 477-HELP (4357).
The police department only has 10 working patrol cars to be shared among the four precincts.