Arrested firefighter has history of arrests

by Jolene Toves

Guam - A local firefighter has been arrested and it wouldn't be the first time.

A follow-up on a family violence complaint led to the arrest of a Guam Fire Department firefighter 50-year old Edward James Quitaro Cruz. "Just this last Saturday officers from the Agat Precinct were conducting a follow up on a family violence criminal mischief case earlier in the month Officer Manny Perez made an arrest a Edward James Quitaro Cruz."

According to the magistrates complaint, Cruz was charged with criminal mischief as a felony and disorderly conduct as a petty misdemeanor. "According to the officer investigating the victim had reported that she was in her privately owned vehicle there was an argument and she was trying to leave the residence the boyfriend became very irate and began to strike and punch at her vehicle," said GPD spokesperson Lieutenant Art Paulino. "There was damages sustained to the vehicle the incident stemmed from a verbal altercation in which infidelity may have been the factor in this case 0435

This however is not the first time Cruz has had run in with the law. Cruz has a history of charges in prior cases. Cruz was arrested and later indicted in 2009 in connection with a government corruption case. At the time he was accused of records tampering conspiracy, to commit theft by deception and official misconduct. KUAM News has since learned however that case was dismissed without prejudice. According to court policy, planning and communications director Joshua Tenorio, a protective order was issued in 2009 in which a person known to him petitioned for a protection from abuse.

According to GFD spokesperson Ed Artero, Cruz has been on annual leave since Thursday of last week and will remain on leave until official word is received on this pending case. GFD fire chief John Wusstig will then determine what action to take.