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Probable cause found to charge man in burglary
The Superior Court found probable cause yesterday to file charges against Cling Phillip Kaipat in connection with the burglary at the home of Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo in Dandan.
Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho found probable cause to charge the 19-year-old Kaipat with burglary, theft, and criminal mischief.
Camacho ordered Kaipat, also known as Gilbert, to answer the charges.
Arraignment will be on Nov. 16, 2015 at 9am before Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja.
Assistant attorney general Matthew Baisley appeared for the government. Assistant public defender Matthew Meyer served as counsel for Kaipat.
Kaipat has been in custody since his arrest last Thursday, a few hours after he allegedly burglarized the house of Govendo and stole the judge’s government-issued 9mm pistol and several ammunitions. A $50,000 cash bail was imposed.
Police said a surveillance camera at a nearby store led to the identification and arrest of Kaipat, who then guided investigators to a trash bin at a bakery where he hid the stolen gun.
Govendo was off-island when the incident happened. His wife discovered the burglary when she returned home from running errands Thursday at 1pm.
