By Troy Torres
Department of Public Safety Boating Safety officer Shane Mendiola surrendered himself to authorities tonight at around 8:30 p.m. and now is in the custody of the Department of Corrections.
Mr. Mendiola, the stepson of DPS commissioner Robert Guerrero, was arrested for allegations he assaulted his girlfriend in a domestic dispute witnessed by several people at two separate locations Wednesday evening.
Police responded to the peace disturbance call Wednesday evening at Safehouse bar in Garapan, and later found Mr. Mendiola and his girlfriend at her parents's home. They did not, however, arrest him.
Prosecutors pursued and were able to obtain an arrest warrant this evening.
According to official sources, at around 9 p.m. Wednesday Mr. Mendiola, who was wearing his uniform, entered Safehouse bar in Garapan, where his girlfriend and her friends were celebrating a birthday. He allegedly grabbed her against her will out of the building and into his car.
Kandit has confirmed that police have interviewed a number of witnesses at the scene and at the woman's parents home, the second scene in the alleged crimes.
According to information provided to police, the woman - several minutes after being taken from Safehouse by Mr. Mendiola - messaged her friends in a group chat and allegedly stated Mr. Mendiola punched her in the mouth. Witnesses also told police Mr. Mendiola "seemed to be high on drugs."
Police officers located the couple at her parents's home, where they were found standing outside. Her mother was arguing with Mendiola, according to police.
Police then dropped Mr. Mendiola to his residence in Finasisu. His firearm was confiscated. No arrest was made at the time.
In 2017, Mr. Mendiola faced prior felony charges for trafficking of controlled substances and illegal possession of controlled substance. The charges were dismissed with prejudice in 2018, when the defendant completed the drug court program.
