Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas with DPS Public Information Officer Fred Sato, DPS Highway Safety Sgt. Adrian Mendiola, and DPS-Criminal Investigation Bureau Commander Capt. Jeff Olopai at a press conference on Friday.
THE Department of Public Safety on Friday said a viral hit-and-run incident in Garapan on Aug. 25, 2025 was connected to the kidnapping and assault of a local tour guide.
The crash, which occurred near the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation office, showed a tan Toyota Tacoma pickup truck striking a black vehicle and a cyclist before speeding away. The video quickly circulated on social media.
Capt. Jeff Olopai, commander of DPS Criminal Investigation Bureau, said the black vehicle was being driven by a kidnapping victim.
“The black vehicle was operated by a victim that had just been kidnapped,” Olopai said. “The victim was unable to make a phone call. So what the victim did was use his vehicle to ram the vehicle of the suspects to stop them, but he didn’t succeed because they still got away.”
The victim, identified as Jijing “Jimmy” Borja, a tour guide, told police he was kidnapped and assaulted by three men.
Two suspects — Heejung Hwang, 43, and Peter Deleon Guerrero, 57, also known as “Dragon” or “Paduna” — have been arrested and charged. A third suspect, Yichuan Bai, remains at large. An arrest warrant has been issued for Bai, who was reportedly driving the tan Toyota Tacoma.
Asked whether the vehicle had been recovered, Olopai said it had already been destroyed.
“That vehicle — we do not have in custody. The vehicle was destroyed. Through our investigation … we were able to identify the vehicle, and that it was destroyed. It was basically shredded,” he said.
Sources told Variety the pickup truck was dismantled at a recycling shop in Puerto Rico.
Olopai said the truck’s owner has been identified and may face additional charges.
“There’s another one that we’re looking at charging,” he said. “Because he’s the person who basically assisted in destroying the vehicle.”
In Superior Court, the Office of the Attorney General’s Criminal Division has charged Hwang and Deleon Guerrero with kidnapping, aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, and disturbing the peace.
Olopai said the investigation remains active. “Further updates will be provided once we are able to apprehend Mr. Bai,” he said.
Olopai declined to confirm whether Hwang is employed as a contractor with the CNMI Public School System. “I cannot confirm that,” he said. “But based on the name alone it seems he is the same person.”
DPS is asking for the public’s help in locating Bai.
“If you or anyone was somewhere by the area where the incident occurred … and you have information, we welcome that,” Olopai said. “If anyone has information, immediately call 911 or (670) 664-9042.”
As for the cyclist struck in the crash, Olopai said the individual was not seriously injured. “Except for the damaged bike, the cyclist was okay,” he said. “There will be separate criminal and traffic charges that will be filed relating to what has happened to the cyclist.”
DPS Commissioner Anthony Macaranas also urged members of the community to come forward.
“Giving information will help us speed up this investigation,” he said. “But if the people are not involved, guess what — you’re hindering, and you’re slowing this investigation. I urge community members, if you do know anything about this case, come up to DPS and share that information … so that we can move this case forward.”