MAN HELD ON BAIL OF $50,000 FOR ALLEGEDLY TAKING $10

An 18-year-old man has been charged with three criminal counts, including first degree robbery, second degree robbery and third degree assault. The first degree robbery is a class A felony which carries a jail term from 10 to 30 years, second degree robbery is a class B felony, which is punishable from five to fifteen years while the third degree assault charge is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both.

Keith Talosaga, who’s being held on bail of $50,000 made his initial appearance in District Court last week. The government alleges on May 15, 2013 in the afternoon in Amouli, the defendant allegedly punched another man in the face and allegedly removed $10 from the victim. The victim sustained bruises and swelling on his facial area as a result of the alleged attack.

In a report from the physician to the police, the victim suffered a contusion on the right cheek and the right side of his lower jaw was fractured. According to the government’s case, the defendant admitted that he took the $10 from the victim.

MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING ELECTRICITY FROM ASPA

The government has charged Junior Mikaele of stealing and property damage after an ASPA employee found an extension cord from the Pago Coleman Elementary School leading to the defendant’s residence. The criminal summons was issued last week. The defendant is facing two charges, stealing and property damage which are both misdemeanors and each carries a jail term of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $1,000 or both.

According to the government’s case, during ASPA’s usual site visits of water and electrical meters the ASPA employee came across an extension cord lying next to the school fence, which led to Mikaele’s home.

Police approached the defendant on the allegation which was reported to police on February 11, 2013. The government claims the defendant initially denied using electricity from the government building; however, he admitted in his written statement that he used electricity from the school for some time between January and February 2013. A witness told police the defendant would go to the school, plug the extension cord at nightfall and would unplug it before dawn.  

BUS DRIVERS ARRESTED AFTER FIST FIGHT

Two bus drivers made their initial appearance in the District Court last Friday on charges of third degree assault and public peace disturbance which are both misdemeanors. Each charge carries a jail term of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $1,000 or both.

The defendants, Sio Olomaali’i and Malo Iamafana, are both represented by the Public Defender’s Office.

According to the government’s case, Iamafana informed police that Olomaali’i did not go all the way down to Leone, as all aiga buses are supposed to do, but instead he did a U-turn in Pava’ia’i which he shouldn’t have.

Iamafana admitted that he approached Olomaali’i at the market place and punched him, which is when the fight broke out.

It's unclear at this time if the government will be filing additional charges in this matter. In the meantime both bus drivers were released from jail on their own recognizance.