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Probable cause found to try two accused of burglary
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Posted on Mar 13 2023
The Superior Court has found probable cause to try two persons accused of burglarizing the residence of former governor Pedro P. Tenorio.
Following a preliminary hearing last Thursday, Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan found probable cause to try Mark S. Benavente and Josephine J. Pangelinan of burglarizing the residence of former governor Pedro P. Tenorio in January.
Following the hearing, both defendants were remanded back to Department of Corrections custody and were ordered to return to court on March 13, for an arraignment.
According to court documents, the caretakers of the Tenorio residence called the Department of Public Safety on Jan. 24, reporting an alleged break-in.
At the scene, officers were escorted to the westernmost side of the residence where they saw a broken window on the second floor.
In an interview with Robert Manalo, the grounds maintenance man, he told police that he noticed a green minivan driving by the residence a couple of times several days before the break-in. He said he knew the car belonged to Benavente.
About two days before the break-in, Manalo said he noticed that the minivan was parked along the dirt road just west of the residence. Then the break-in happened.
About two weeks later, on Feb. 8, while routinely driving around, DPS officers conducted a traffic stop on a green minivan in San Vicente. The car was later impounded and searched.
On Feb. 21, police visited Benavente and Pangelinan’s residence in Chalan Kanoa.
When Pangelinan opened the door, police said they immediately noticed brand-name purses just hanging on the wall.
The next day, police acquired a search warrant for Benavente and Pangelinan’s apartment and immediately executed it.
While executing the search warrant, police patted down Benavente who allegedly was found in possession of a crystal-like substance, which later yielded positive for methamphetamine.
During the search, police managed to find multiple items that were reported missing after the burglary.
Pangelinan later admitted to being part of the burglary and also told police that Benavente broke into the house by climbing up the west wall of the house.
It was learned that Benavente allegedly invited others to steal from the Tenorio residence after they had taken what they wanted. Tenorio passed away in May 21, 2018.
