Man allegedly slashes vehicle’s tires, stabs witness

A customer at a Garapan bar allegedly slashed the tires of a vehicle that was parked outside the establishment, then stabbed a man who witnessed the incident early Sunday morning.

Manuel Daniel Sablan Jr., 34, jobless, was arrested for assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and battery, assault and battery, and disturbing the peace.

The victim, Jesse Billy Mailuw, was taken to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. His wound, on the right chest just above the right lung, required eight stitches. He was required to undergo further examination to determine the severity of the injury.

At a hearing yesterday, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho imposed a $50,000 cash bail for Sablan’s temporary release. Preliminary hearing will be on Sept. 30 at 1:30pm.

Police detective Francisco O. Iginoef stated in his report that two police officers responded to a stabbing incident at the True North Bar & Grill on Sunday at 3:47am.

True North owner, former Department of Public Safety deputy commissioner Ambrosio Ogumoro, met them and told them that a man was bleeding and needed medical attention.

The victim approached one officer, identified himself as Mailuw, and stated he had been stabbed. The officer called for a medic and crime scene technician.

Mailuw told the officer that he does not know the suspect but will be able to identify him if he sees him again.

Ogumoro informed the officers to check a Nissan Frontier vehicle parked in front of the bar. The officers checked the vehicle and noticed that its engine was on and its windows rolled up.

Ogumoro walked to the passenger side window where it was rolled down. Mailuw instantly identified Sablan, who was on the passenger seat, as the person who stabbed him.

The officer who arrested Sablan saw that the suspect had dried blood all over his hands, which appeared to have been wiped off.

The officer also saw scratches on Sablan’s arms and legs. Sablan, however, refused medical treatment and was brought to the Department of Corrections.

Police preliminary investigation showed that Mailuw was outside his work place at Minimax Dive Shop, just north of True North, when he saw Sablan walking toward a Toyota T 100 parked on the northern parking lot of the bar.

Mailuw saw Sablan bending down and within seconds he heard the hissing sound of the tire deflating. Mailuw stood up to get a closer look and saw Sablan stabbing the right rear tire with a sharp object.

Mailuw yelled at Sablan, who then approached him and allegedly stabbed him with a sharp object in the chest. The two then struggled on the ground.

Sablan later got up and walked back inside the bar.

Sablan’s male companion stated during police interview that he and Sablan arrived together at the bar. Shortly before closing time, Sablan came in and told him they had to go.

When he got into his vehicle, the companion saw a man bleeding all over his shirt walk into the bar and seemed to be looking for somebody.

He said Sablan stated that the bloodied person might have been involved in a fight.

The companion said he didn’t suspect Sablan because the latter appeared very calm then.

A police officer interviewed another witness, who corroborated the victim’s statements.

Police recovered at the scene a small stainless steel pocketknife.