By Trina A. San Agustin
Variety News Staff

FIVE minor boys are in the custody of the Department of Youth Affairs after getting even with another boy who took a bicycle from one of them.
The Guam Police Department’s Juvenile Investigation Section said that a boy got upset when he found that his bicycle had been stolen from an Internet café. Police said the boy got four of his friends—aged 13 to 16—together to look for the boy they believed stole the bike.
Yesterday morning, the five boys went to the boy’s home to get the bike back.
GPD Juvenile Investigation Section’s Sgt. Art Paulino told Variety that there was an exchange of words between the group and the boy they suspected of stelling the bike.
“They became aggressive and began to attack the perpetrator. The five were charged with attempted murder, disorderly conduct, and aggravated assault,” Paulino said.
The five boys were to appear before a Superior Court Judge yesterday but the outcome of that hearing was not available as of press time. The condition of the boy allegedly attacked by the group was not known.
Middle school stabbing
In other news, an 11-year-old student at F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School was placed in the custody of DYA after he allegedly stabbed a schoolmate in the head with a pen.
“The 11-year-old who was trying to befriend another 11-year-old became aggressive and pulled out a pen and stabbed the other in the left temple,” Paulino said.
The victim is doing fine, according to Paulino. He said this was the reason why JIS has been visiting schools to educate students on how to respond to events like these.
“If you look at the boy, he doesn’t seem violent and really is a nice boy. He just chose the incorrect response. That is why we are out there teaching kids three responses—passive, aggressive, and assertive—to be able to express themselves while still respecting the rights of others,” he added.
GPD JIS investigators have been visiting public and private schools to help teach children to deal with violence and bullying, and how to recognize a good touch and a bad touch on their private parts.
This program, according to Paulino, is done hand in hand with the Child Protective Services and the Victims Advocates Reaching Out.
GPD JIS welcomes public, private, and non-profit entities to take advantage of this program. Paulino said organizations that would like to host a JIS presentation should contact them at 475-8535.