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Purse snatcher gets 2-year sentence
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Posted on May 03 2012
By Ferdie de la Torre
Reporter
Reporter
Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo sent to prison for two years yesterday a man who snatched a female Japanese tourist’s purse, injuring her after his getaway vehicle dragged her for several meters on Beach Road in western Garapan.
Gustavo Meme Ybanez, 35, pleaded guilty to robbery as part of the plea deal. The remaining charges of theft and disturbing the peace were dropped.
Govendo sentenced Ybanez to four years in prison, all suspended except for two years, without the possibility of parole and with credit for the 132 days he has already served in jail.
Once he gets out of prison, Ybanez will be placed on supervised probation for two years.
He was also directed to pay $350 in restitution to the victim, Miki Takamatsu, including her medical costs of $523.77, to be paid jointly with co-defendant Oscar J. P. Porras.
Ybanez was also required to pay a $1,000 fine and $300 in court costs and probation fees, and perform 200 hours of community service.
Govendo said that Ybanez must also complete anger management counseling and alcohol and drug assessment, treatment.
During the entire period of his probation, he will be barred from entering, loitering and passing through Garapan and golf courses that tourists frequent.
The victim, Takamatsu, and her boyfriend were strolling in Garapan on Nov. 16, 2011, when Ybanez leaned out of a car that Porras was driving and snatched Takamatsu’s purse.
Takamatsu chased the car and grabbed the door. Porras sped off, dragging the tourist on the road and running over her arm.
Takamatsu sustained several bruises and was brought to the Commonwealth Health Center for treatment. Ybanez and Porras fled the scene and split the $350 they took from the purse.
Last April 18, Porras pleaded guilty to a theft in a separate case and accessory after the fact to robbery, receiving stolen property, and assault and battery in the snatching case. Porras, 33, was sentenced to two years in jail, with no possibility of parole.
