Man who ran into Mihaville sign while high on ‘ice’ asks for early release

A man who was convicted of multiple charges after colliding with the Mihaville Estate sign along Middle Road while high on methamphetamine or “ice” has asked the court that he be released early.

Juan Delos Reyes Tydingco, 44, who was convicted of fleeing or attempting to elude police, speeding, and reckless driving, appeared before the CNMI Board of Parole on Wednesday to personally request that he be granted parole and be released.

Chief Prosecutor John Bradley, who opposed the request, said that Tydingco should serve the remainder of his sentence, which he believes is relatively short for the seriousness of the crimes.

“[Tydingco] endangered the lives of several people people while fleeing from police in a vehicle. He damaged cars and injured people. He attacked a police officer. [Tydingco] should serve the remainder of his sentence,” Bradley said.

Although the government does not completely oppose granting him parole, Bradley said if Tydingco is granted parole, he should be ordered to participate in in-patient treatment at the HOPE Recovery center.

Aside from Tydingco, Paul Anthony Lizama, 37, who was convicted of “ice” trafficking, and Benigno Joseph Muna Sablan, 38, who was convicted of theft and possession of a controlled substance, appeared before the board to ask for early release.

Tydingco was the driver of a Toyota Tacoma that rammed into the Mihaville Estate concrete sign on Middle Road in Garapan back in January 2020. He tried to flee on foot but was apprehended by police officers. While being apprehended, Tydingco confessed to police that he had smoked “a lot” of ice.

According to the initial complaint, police tried to initiate a violator stop on Tydingco last Jan. 22, 2020, after spotting him driving without a front license plate, but Tydingco sped up and turned right to Beach Road where he traveled between 60 miles per hour and 80 mph.

While driving the truck at high speed, Tydingco also used the opposite lane in passing other vehicles and was at one point facing head-on a school bus traveling in the opposite direction.

Police said Tydingco then made a right turn near Horiguchi Building then turned left to Middle Road traveling north when his truck collided with two cars at the traffic intersection near China Town.

Tydingco, however, did not stop but continued to travel north. He then attempted to make a right turn to upper Mihaville but lost control and collided with the concrete Mihaville Estate sign, disabling his truck. Tydingco attempted to flee on foot to a nearby residence but was apprehended by police.