Palau has asked the United States to extradite a Palauan citizen in connection with a slew of violent crimes that left all victims seeking emergency medical care before he fled his homeland.
According to documents filed in the U.S. District Court on Thursday, Palauan native Mace Orrukem, who uses the aliases “Mays Ngiraungil” and “Mace Rico Ngiraungil” and is believed to be 23 years old, was charged with several counts of assault. He was arrested by U.S. Marshals on Saturday.
Orrekum was charged with five counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, one count of assault in the second degree, one count of assault and battery, one count of assault, and one count of assault in the third degree. Judiciary officials in Palau issued three separate warrants of arrest for Orrukem in August 2014.
He committed the crimes between October 2013 and August 2014, the U.S. government said.
Orrukem attacked an individual outside the Sunset Park Restaurant located in Koror, Palau.
A police witness told investigators that Orrukem struck the victim in the head with a beer can and a broom handle from behind, causing him to fall into the ocean. The victim was transported to the National Belau Hospital, where he was found to have suffered injuries to his left shoulder and head areas.
The second incident occurred on June 14, 2014. According to court documents, Orrukem was walking with an acquaintance when he attacked two individuals with a machete. After attacking the first victim, Orrukem then attacked the second victim who tried to run for safety, court document state.
A third incident occurred the very next day. Orrukem and other individuals surrounded a car traveling down a secondary road, according to court documents.
They attacked the driver while he was still in the vehicle with a machete. The victim was able to flee in his car but suffered cuts and bruises to his left arm. An eyewitness identified Orrukem as the main assailant.
Orrukem was involved in another incidence of violence in July and two more in August 2014.
In a bar incident in July, Orrukem attacked an individual with a hard object. The victim suffered a cut to his head and needed medical attention.
Orrukem attacked an individual in the same manner as he did in July — with a hard object striking the victim’s head repeatedly.
The victim needed medical treatment as a result of his injuries. In a second incident in August, Orrukem attacked an individual At the Sunset Park Restaurant with an object believed to be a belt buckle.
Orrukem’s extradition hearing is scheduled for Aug. 7. He is represented by Public Defender John Gormon.