HÅGAT, Guam — A 47-year-old man, Bryan Cabrera Dela Cruz, was arrested on Monday following a domestic violence incident that took place in Malesso’ on January 27. According to a magistrate’s complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam, Dela Cruz was apprehended during a routine traffic stop on Route 2 near Umang Road.
At the time of the stop, officers from the Guam Police Department observed Dela Cruz driving a white Ford Ranger without a shirt or seatbelt. During the stop, he voluntarily disclosed that he had drug paraphernalia in his vehicle, leading officers to discover a makeshift glass pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue.
The arrest stemmed from a domestic violence complaint filed earlier in the week. On the night of January 26, Dela Cruz visited a woman’s residence in Malesso’ around 10 p.m. During their interaction, witnesses reported a heated argument in which Dela Cruz allegedly attempted to strangle the victim by placing his right hand on her neck and forcibly taking her phone. The victim managed to escape after the altercation, running out the front door.
Upon responding to the scene, officers noted minor injuries on the victim, including a scratch on her left thumb. A disabled family member who was present during the incident corroborated the victim’s account.
Following his arrest, Dela Cruz admitted to both the domestic violence incident and possession of drug paraphernalia. He confessed that he had recently purchased and used methamphetamine and also revealed that he had recently been released from jail. When discussing the strangulation attempt, Dela Cruz stated, “I wasn’t trying to kill her, I just wanted the phone.”
Dela Cruz has been charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (third-degree felony), attempted strangulation (third-degree felony), assault with intent to cause bodily injury (misdemeanor), and family violence (misdemeanor).
