Teen arrested for alleged beating, attempted robbery of 4 juveniles

A teenager was arrested yesterday after he and another man, while drunk, allegedly beat up two of four male juveniles during an attempted robbery in Garapan.

Joy I. Fred, 19, was arrested in Garapan at 12:57pm on charges of attempted robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, disturbing the peace, and minor consuming liquor.

An $11,250 cash bail was set for his temporary release. He was set to appear in the Superior Court yesterday afternoon for a bail hearing.

It was not immediately clear as of press time if police have already arrested Fred’s companion, 24-year-old Michael Chipwelong.

Detective Jeffrey I. Norita stated in his report that a police officer had responded to a disturbance behind Dollar Days in western Garapan on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 6:37pm.

Norita said police investigation showed that the four juveniles-ages 14, 15, 16, and 17-were walking toward Garapan Street Market when the drunken Fred and Chipwelong approached them.

Fred, who was smoking, blew smoke at the four juveniles before asking them for money.

When the victims replied that none of them had any money, Fred tried to take off the watch from the wrist of one of the juveniles.

Chipwelong tried to strip the necklace off the neck of the other juvenile, but the latter slapped the suspect’s hand away.

Fred then turned to the third juvenile, squeezed his hand and began taking off his watch. The third juvenile, however, slapped Fred’s hand away, resulting in Fred’s hand slapping Chipwelong’s face.

Fred and Chipwelong got mad and challenged the four to a fight.

A fight ensued between the suspects and the two juveniles. Fred chased one victim as the three other juveniles ran away.

When the four victims reached Duty Free Shoppers in Garapan, one of them sought help from a security personnel, who called the police.

One juvenile, who was chased by Fred, sustained minor lacerations on the knees and was treated by medics at the scene.

Later, police officers found Fred and Chipwelong near Capitol Bowling Center in Garapan. Two victims identified the suspects as the individuals who assaulted them earlier.

While in detention, Norita said, Fred admitted that he and Chipwelong where drunk when they met the victims, asked them for their jewelry, and punched one of them.