Habitual offender allegedly threatens to go on rampage

Habitual offender George C. Taitano allegedly threw rocks at a store in Dandan over the weekend, then went home where he broke things and threatened to kill everyone, including federal court Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona.
Taitano, 39, came out from hiding inside the bathtub at his house and laughed hysterically when a police officer found him, according to a police report.

At yesterday’s bail hearing, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho increased Taitano’s original bail of $5,500 cash to $20,000 cash.

Camacho directed Taitano to stay away from the alleged victims as well as Judge Manglona.

Police detective Therese S. Kintoki stated in her report that the Department of Public Safety received a call on Friday at 7:07pm about a disturbance in progress at Jin Li Store in Dandan

A man, later identified via the store’s surveillance camera as Taitano, had gone to the store armed with three rocks, Kintoki said.

Taitano threw one rock at the main entrance glass door and entered the establishment. He went to the cashier’s booth and threw more rocks at the female cashier. The cashier was almost hit, but the rocks shattered the glass door of the cigarette rack and four sunglasses.

Taitano also threw rocks at the cashier’s two co-workers who were standing by the freezers. The co-workers were not hit, but the rocks damaged one case of beer. Customers panicked and ran outside.

Taitano then went outside, made a shooting gesture, and walked away.

On Saturday at 12:06am, police officers responded to the Taitano family’s house in San Vicente in response to a disturbance report.

Police learned that Taitano had threatened to kill his mother, some family members, and everyone else, saying he feels he is unwanted by the family. He also allegedly threatened to kill Manglona.

When officers arrived at the tin house, there was no light and they saw several broken household items scattered on the ground by the main door. Inside the house, broken glass and clothes were scattered on the floor.

One officer found Taitano hiding in the bathtub and handcuffed him.

Taitano kept laughing, suddenly became quiet, then began laughing hysterically.

Taitano’s family member disclosed to police that the defendant has been breaking everything in the house since last month.

There are previous reports that Taitano suffers from mental problems.

The federal court revoked Taitano’s supervised release several times for using “ice” and marijuana while on probation.