By Trina A. San Agustin
Variety News Staff

ANOTHER arrest was made in connection with the recent rash of robberies. Arrested over the weekend was John Jesse P. Wells, 30, of Agana Heights.
According to Guam Police Department public affairs officer Allan Guzman, Wells was charged with robbery, conspiracy, and terrorizing. He was booked and confined.
“He was arrested in relation to a robbery that took place on Jan. 19 at the Hilton Hotel in Tumon,” said Guzman. “There are several other robberies to be uncovered as a result of this arrest. The other arrest made last week and this one are linked together.”
Guzman added that police are expecting more arrests to include burglaries and theft. Further details could not be provided as Guzman said it may jeopardize the investigation.
“They have been clearing several robberies, burglaries, and thefts that have been happening through out the island. This was all through a Guam Crime Stoppers tip that resulted in two arrests in the recent rash of robberies around the island,” he added.
Arrested earlier last week was Jesse Joseph Mendiola, Jr., 30, of Agana Springs. He was charged with first degree robbery, conspiracy, and guilt by complicity. He was booked and confined.
According to an earlier statement Guzman said that on Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. GPD Officer Randy Patague while patrolling the Tamuning area noticed a moving violation committed by silver Nissan Frontier.
“Officer Patague requested assistance in the vehicle pull over. Officer Vince Paulino conducted the traffic stop by the ITC Building in Tamuning and the officers confronted the operator and informed him of his violations. It was then discovered that the vehicle and the driver matched the description of the vehicle and the suspect provided by Criminal Investigation Section and a Guam Crime Stoppers tip,” Guzman told Variety.
The tip to the anonymous tip hotline stated that the vehicle and the operator are suspected to be involved in an earlier reported robbery. The driver (identified as Mendiola) was requested to show up at the Tamuning/Tumon precinct for questioning which resulted in his arrest.
Guzman stated that the robbery occurred at the Hilton Hotel Parking lot on Jan. 19 at 1:20p.m. Mendiola is alleged to have robbed a 35-year-old Japanese of her purse. Mendiola allegedly then fled on foot toward the Ypao Beach area.
The purse was recovered the next day at 4:00 p.m. on Spring Lane, Sinajana.
“As a result of this case further investigation is being conducted by the Tamuning/Tumon Crime Suppression Team along with Criminal Investigation Section and more arrests may be pending,” Guzman commented.