A senior enlisted sailor based in Guam was recognized late last month for chasing after a purse thief at a local mall.
Master-at-Arms 1st Class Anthony Mugavero was at a mall in Dededo on Dec. 23, walking with his wife and kids in the parking lot when he heard Cynthia Manibusan cry out, according to a Navy release.
Mugavero, assigned to U.S. Naval Base Guam Harbor Security, gave chase when he realized Manibusan’s purse had been stolen.
“I just heard someone yelling, ‘he took my purse,’” Mugavero recalled, “and immediately ran after the guy, jumped over the wall and tackled him.”
While the thief fled on foot, Mugavero retrieved the purse and returned it to Manibusan, according to the Navy.
He received a legislative resolution at the Guam Congress Building on Dec. 29.
Mugavero said he hoped his actions would reflect well among the island’s locals.
“If we can show the military guys are out there helping the community, maybe it will foster our relationship more within the community,” he said in the Navy release. “I feel like something like this encourages other people to take a step to help out.”
Manibusan said she was grateful for the help.
“I want to thank Tony and his family, and the military for all the training he’s learned,” she said. “It kicked in on him that evening.”
