Local heroes: Two good samaritans honored for their life-saving actions

Two local residents were recognized as heroes for their bravery and selflessness.

The Attorney General’s Office awarded a pair of good samaritan awards on Thursday. 

Forty-three-year-old Echevera Choun from Yigo jumped into action when an alleged drunk man threatened others with a machete by Nana’s Cafe in Tumon early September.  

“Mr. Echevera Choun while on Tumon beach along with others immediately responded to women shouting for help and upon coming to their aid, saw an intoxicated machete wielding individual holding at bay airport authority off duty police officers,” said AG Doug Moylan. 

Moylan said Echevera noticed an opportunity to subdue the assailant, identified as 19-year-old JS Mailo, and tackled him without hesitation. 

He restrained the assailant until Guam police officers arrived.

It wasn't until after the scary situation ended that Choun realized he was struck by the machete in the forehead, requiring him to get 10 stitches. 

Mailo has since been charged with aggravated assault. 

AG Moylan also honored the off duty airport police officers who helped out.

“It highlights the fact that law enforcement officers not only put their lives on the line but do that 24/7,” he said. 

Also receiving the Good Samaritan Award was 66-year-old Joseph Perez. 

“Mr. Joseph Perez, refusing to be an idle bystander, helped a crime victim of a robbery and quickly sprung into action to ensure the arrest of a man wanted by law enforcement,” said Moylan. 

Perez is an Mangilao resident who went out of his way to track down a thief after witnessing a “strong-arm robbery” outside of Lao Mart in Sinajana.

“We have a big problem on this island. A very big problem. I hope that every law enforcement pays attention to what I’m saying. We have to get all the CID’s, all the K-9’s, all the departments and pull ourselves together to clean this island up,” said Perez. 

Court documents state 31-year-old Michael Lao Camacho took money from the cash register and approached his mother, the owner of the store, for more money. 

When she refused, he allegedly pushed his mother to the ground causing her to injure her elbow and took off with her purse. 

Perez followed Camacho in his own car and called police who were able to then make the arrest. 

“If there’s a will, there’s a way. There’s nobody on this earth, any human, that can tell me we can’t do it. We can do it,” said Perez. 

Camacho has since been charged with two counts of theft, third degree robbery, family violence and assault.