There's been an alarming rise in school break-ins. One Dededo elementary school burglarized a total of 52 times this year alone. Two suspects are now in custody.

"We’ve seen a significant uptick in break-ins," noted Dr. Kenneth Swanson. An over 40 percent increase in school break-ins causing concern for the Guam Department of Education, according to Swanson, the agency's superintendent.  There have been 52 break-ins at Finegayan Elementary School this year alone. 

Last year, they had just one. 

The alarming uptick coming to light during an education oversight hearing Thursday had committee chair Senator Chris Barnett questioning if it was a mistake. "That's not a typo? 52?" he asked.

On Thursday, a second suspect was arrested in connection to the multiple burglaries reported at the Dededo elementary school.

25-year-old Alex Taimanglo is charged with multiple counts of complicity to commit burglary forced entry and complicity to commit theft among other similar charges. The burglaries led to thousands of dollars in stolen items and damages at Finegayan Elementary this summer.

"Our conversations with law enforcement lead us to believe that many of the folks that have been involved in this are involved in the drug trade. What they had stolen are things that have street value that can be sold. And also food. We know people are hungry and looking for cash," said Dr. Swanson.

Co-actor Freddy Susuico has since been charged for his alleged role. A third suspect was named in court documents, but has not yet been charged.

Meanwhile, other break-ins at public schools further north compound the headache.  "Currently we have three maintenance schools repairing downed and damaged fences at Simon Sanchez and FBLG. As soon as we repair them and come back the next day they’ve been cut. So there’s quite an emphasis right now especially at the FBLG site, we had quite a bit stolen from the contractor," said the superintendent.

He says copper wires are being stolen from FBLG Middle School, which is currently undergoing construction.  The school was forced to close in 2022 after pieces of concrete fell from the ceiling.

Swanson adds it’s where Simon Sanchez High Sharks might be double-sessioning, though he admits its six months away from being ready to reopen. 

 "There is not a workable option at this point. Once FBLG is back on their campus, we could make an adjustment but the doubling up would be on that campus where at least they would be in their own neighborhood. That’s an option we discussed," he said.

In the meantime, to combat the break-ins, he says GDOE is coordinating with the Guam Police Department to increase patrols at night and possibly on-site security.