Previous Story
Missing handcuffs lead to arrest of man who allegedly burglarized house
A Juvenile Corrections officer’s discovery of his missing handcuffs led to the arrest of his neighbor who allegedly burglarized and stole numerous items from his house in Kagman.
Derrick Roque Mafnas Babauta, 27, was arrested in Kagman I last week on charges of burglary and theft.
At a bail modification hearing yesterday, Superior Court Associate Judge David A. Wiseman allowed Babauta to post $750 cash and $6,750 in unsecured bond.
Babauta’s father served as third party custodian.
Police Detective Andrew S. Taimanao stated in his report that last Jan. 13, a police officer responded to the house of Juvenile Corrections Officer Matthew Iguel, who reported that his house was burglarized.
Iguel reported that his 5,000 BTU Kenwood air-condition unit was stolen. The interior of the house was messy with clothes and toys were scattered around.
Iguel has been staying in Chalan Kanoa because his cousin passed away. He goes to the Kagman house everyday just to feed his pigs and turn off the outside lights in the morning.
Last Feb. 26, Iguel called DPS after he had information as to the suspect of the burglary.
Iguel told a responding police officer that he was outside his house when he noticed handcuffs on the door hanging at a house, which was used to be abandoned but now being occupied by Babauta.
Iguel checked the handcuffs and verified through its serial number that it belongs to him.
Iguel said after taking the handcuffs off from the door of Babauta’s house, the door swung open. He said he saw inside the house his stolen belongings such as laptop, backpack, electric fan, and beach chair.
Iguel said he went back to his house and called the police.
That night, police officers executed a search warrant and recovered several items that were stolen from Iguel’s house. Among the stolen items was the victim’s work identification card.
