$25,000 bail for man who threatened woman with machete, handsaw, knife

After allegedly threatening to kill a woman with a kitchen knife, handsaw, and machete, a man was arrested and is facing a $25,000 cash bail.

Following his arrest, Francisco Cabrera Babauta, 58, appeared before the NMI Superior Court and Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho on Nov. 1, 2024, in Susupe, where bail was maintained.

Babauta is currently facing charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault, and disturbing the peace. His preliminary hearing was held yesterday with assistant public defender Charlene Brown representing him and assistant attorney general Heather Barcinas representing the government.

A further hearing is set for Nov. 20, and arraignment was moved to Dec. 2.

According to court files, late on Oct. 30, police officers responded to a disturbing the peace incident at Brother’s Market in Kagman I. They found a distressed woman in her car outside who reported that Babauta was at her home. After interviewing her, officers went to her residence and detained Babauta.

The victim said she witnessed Babauta arguing with his son-in-law and attempted to intervene. Babauta allegedly became irate, cussing at her and demanding she leave. She stated he then grabbed a machete from the table, held it to her neck, and asked if she wanted him to kill her. He subsequently put down the machete, picked up a kitchen knife, and repeated the threat.

After putting the knife down, he allegedly picked up a handsaw before finally sitting in a chair. The woman said that she walked away and drove to the store to call for police assistance, saying this was not the first instance of such behavior.

Police collected the machete kitchen knife, and handsaw as evidence. Babauta was arrested, booked, and detained at the Department of Corrections.

In his statement, Babauta claimed he argued with his son-in-law over his conversation with his grandson. The alleged the victim persisted in questioning him despite his requests to be left alone.

The victim later told police she took her purse and left after warming food quickly, feeling scared. She drove to Brother’s Market, where she called for help.