A vehicle reported stolen in November has been recovered, leading to multiple charges against Gregorio Jason Pangelinan, who was found asleep inside the vehicle with drugs in plain view.
According to a magistrate’s complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam, the 2023 white Toyota RAV4 was discovered during a police check early one morning along Chalan Eskuela in Yigo. Officers with the Guam Police Department found the vehicle running, with mismatched license plates and heavily tinted windows. Inside, Pangelinan was asleep in the driver’s seat, with a female passenger also asleep.
When officers approached the vehicle, they knocked on the window, and the engine was immediately shut off. Due to the poor visibility conditions, the officers drew their firearms and instructed the driver to open the door and show his hands. Pangelinan complied and was ordered to lie on the ground.
During a search, officers discovered drug paraphernalia and suspected methamphetamine in plain view inside the vehicle. The items included a small clear bag with crystal-like substances, a plastic syringe, a bevel-cut straw, and a makeshift glass pipe. Field tests indicated the presence of methamphetamine.
The investigation revealed that the vehicle had been stolen during a burglary in Tamuning back in November. A witness provided details about the theft, saying they saw an individual drive off with the vehicle, mentioning plans to disable its GPS and alter its appearance.
Pangelinan admitted he received the vehicle as part of a proposed swap for an older Toyota Echo but was suspicious due to the mismatched plates and lack of registration and ownership documents.
In addition to the stolen vehicle and drug charges, Pangelinan faces assault charges stemming from a domestic incident earlier that day. The victim reported being struck on the arms and chest, with visible bruising noted by officers during their investigation.
Pangelinan, who was already out on release for a previous felony case, was arrested early Monday morning and now faces charges of theft by receiving a motor vehicle, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, and assault.
