BREAKING NEWS: JUDGE GOVENDO’S HOUSE BURGLARIZED, GUN AND AMMOS STOLEN
A habitual offender allegedly burglarized the residence of Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo in Dandan and stole the judge’s government-issued 9mm pistol and several ammunitions on Thursday.
Cling Philip Kaipat, 19, was taken to court for bail hearing this afternoon, Friday, on charges of burglary, theft, and other offenses.
Associate Judge David A. Wiseman imposed a $50,000 cash bail.
Police detective Catherine B. Pangelinan stated in her report that a surveillance camera at a store led to the identification and arrest of Kaipat, who then led investigators on Thursday night to a trash bin where he hid the stolen gun.
When the burglary happened, Judge Govendo was not in the house. As of today, Friday, he is still in Palau for a conference, Saipan Tribune learned.
The judge’s wife was on Saipan at that time, but it was when she came back home from some errands Thursday at 1pm when she discovered the burglary, police said.
More details to follow.
