School bus driver stops attempted kidnapping of 15-year-old girl

The following is a news release from the Guam Police Department:

On Thursday, April 20, 2023, at about 12:32 p.m., patrol officers from Dededo Precinct Command proceeded to a residence in Dededo for a caller reporting an attempted kidnapping of a 15 year old female. Officers arrived at the residence and met with the reporting person who stated that her niece, after being dropped at her bus stop was approached by a male adult who was motoring along the roadway asking her if she needed a ride home.

The minor told the operator several times that she did not need a ride however he insisted and continued to drive along side of her.

A school bus driver with Department of Public Works while in the area witnessed the incident and intervened attempting to instruct the operator to leave her alone. The minor ran towards the bus and briefly explained what was happening. The operator fled the scene. The school bus driver took it a step further and drove the minor to her residence.

After conducting interviews and gathering further information of the alleged suspect, officers were able to locate the vehicle and the operator at a gameroom in the Dededo area. The suspect was identified to be:

Melencio V. Santos

Male, Filipino, age: 65, resident of Dededo

An interview of Santos was conducted to which he admitted to the allegations and was later arrested for the following offenses:

• Attempted Kidnapping
• Terrorizing
• Unlawful Restraint Harassment

Santos was booked and confined to Department of Corrections. The case is closed and forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office for their information and disposition.