Police detective is arrested for alleged assault, battery

An off-duty police detective was taken into custody on Christmas Day after authorities arrested him for assault incidents.

According to Department of Public Safety public information officer PO2 Eric F. David, 33-year-old detective Juan R. Limes was nabbed for charges of disturbing the peace and assault and battery in two separate incidents on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.

David disclosed that the first incident occurred at about 11pm at Club Taboo in Garapan.

“The off duty detective got into an argument over his missing keys with [the first] victim,” he said. “The suspect then assaulted and caused bodily harm to the victim while in their car at the parking lot of Club Taboo.”

David said the two left the establishment and were heading home when the suspect accused the victim of “seeing someone else.”

“He then started to beat her in the vehicle as they were heading home.”

The suspect dropped off the 30-year-old female victim and left the area.

The other domestic violence incident involving Limes happened outside the Don’s Sports Bar in Garapan early Friday morning, according to investigation conducted by police detective Andrea C. Ozawa.

Police officers Eric David and Michael Langdon were conducting patrol when they noticed two persons who were apparently involved in a fight. When they came closer to verify, they saw Limes standing over a woman who was on the ground.

The woman initially responded that everything was okay when asked by the officers, Ozawa said. David, however, noticed Limes hugging the victim and whispering in her ear, while the woman continued to cry and push the suspect away.

David ordered Limes to let the woman go, but he refused and began to shout at the victim. David then held the suspect’s right wrist, but Limes continued to throw punches at the woman. David struggled with the Limes and was hit by punches and kicks in blocking the assault on the woman.

“Officer Langdon came to assist and struggled with the suspect to let go of the victim’s hair. The suspect continued to kick so both officers [David and Langdon] got kicked,” Ozawa said.

Further, information officer David said the victim in the first incident, who did not report the incident to DPS the night of the incident, brought the matter to her brother, who is also police officer. Her brother made the complaint.

David said any criminal case involving an officer of the department is forwarded to Internal Affairs for investigation.

As of press time, David said Limes was still in custody and bail is set for $10,500.

He said if found guilty in court, proper action would be taken and Limes may be suspended or terminated. (with Shan Seman)