Six juveniles are identified as suspects in KagES vandalism
Six juveniles—three of whom now reside on Tinian—have been identified as alleged culprits in the vandalism of Kagman Elementary School.
Earlier in June, through the efforts of the Department of Public Safety and NMI Crime Stoppers, three juveniles were apprehended and are still in custody. Their arrest led to the identification of the three other suspects.
DPS Commissioner James Deleon Guerrero Deleon Guerrero told Saipan Tribune that the investigation of one of suspects led to two more suspects being identified. He said the apprehension of these two implicated three more who are also juveniles but are now on Tinian.
The DPS chief said the prosecutor’s office has advised to just issue summons for the three juveniles as opposed to a warrant of arrest so that they could charge them formally in court.
Deleon Guerrero said that they have sent investigators down to Tinian to speak to the three juveniles about their involvement in the incident.
According to Deleon Guerrero, all the suspects were students and residents of Saipan at one time and that the first three were involved in the destruction while the others just helped.
“So altogether we are looking at six individuals and at one point they were residents of Saipan and were all students of Kagman Elementary School,” Deleon Guerrero said.
Citing interviews with the three juveniles who are currently detained, Deleon Guerrero said the suspects committed the vandalism because they “wanted revenge” on the school.
He also noted that they have advised the school to install a security camera system instead of hiring a security officer.
According to Rep. Larry Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan), prior to the meeting with Kagman Elementary School principal Ruth Calvo, DPS recommended several other things for the school to do. That included increasing the height of fences around the campus, installing surveillance cameras, and public and community outreach.
Other discussions included toughening up the laws and school policies involving minors and juveniles, implementing deterrence, prevention and counter-measures within every school, and making publicly known the costs and impacts of vandalism on the school and community and its consequences.
Deleon Guerrero noted that they have asked the school to estimate the costs and damages of the vandals so that when the summons are issued against the suspects, their parents will be informed of the cost.
Deleon Guerrero also noted that during one of their “sealed hearings,” one of his investigators present at that time said that one kid showed no remorse and just laughed, “with no respect at all.”
Kagman Elementary School was vandalized three times this year, the first one on April 2014 when DPS dispatched police officers to the scene of the crime and discovered that traffic cones were scattered throughout the school’s parking lot.
The second incident occurred when the bulletin board was damaged and two water faucets in the building were broken, with water gushing out and flooding the parking lot.
The most recent incident in May was the destruction of the cafeteria that resulted in the students of the school having to eat outside due to fruit drinks and cleaning products being scattered all over the floor.
This all goes back to the parents lack of upbringing. Most likely the background of the parent(s) are troubled also. It would interesting to see the last names as that would tell a lot.
Interestingly about the attitude of the student with now remorse. So I wonder how the parents are going to laugh if they get a bill for the damages.
But that probably would be a first to get hold the parents responsible. I may be wrong but I have never read of any parent being held responsible for their minor’s crimes. Anyplace else that is the case AND the law.
Captain, why don’t you just come right out and say it was the uneducated Chamorros that did it instead of beating around the bush with the lets “…see the last names” card? Of course, you will not find anyone named Smith or Jones…Now, the problem here is how do we send a strong message out that vandalism by these minors is not acceptable and will not be tolerated is key. Punishment has to be severe, quick and applied equally. As punishment, I suggest the parents as well as the erring kids do mandatory cleanups at public parks, beaches, schools for one year. Compensatory damages can be in the form of garnishing any of the family’s government assistance, like food stamps and others…I used to like your comments about finding solutions but lately, your comments have morphed into revealing your true self – you’ve joined the bandwagon of bashing anybody not white and especially directing your strong aversion towards these undeserving browned skinned natives…so sad
The school is part of the problem. Need to know the motive why the kids were pissed off by the staff and faculty of the school in the first place.
What a stupid comment mamababyl.
community service and jail time. their vandalism cost alot of money.