Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A young man who is accused of stealing 2 cartons of cigarettes, and 2 cans of pisupo from an Asian store in Pago Pago has been charged with misdemeanor stealing and public peace disturbance.

Paese Utuga made his initial appearance before District Court Judge Fiti Sunia this week, where his attorney, Assistant Public Defender Ryan Nelson requested that his client be released on his own recognizance.

The motion was granted by the court under certain conditions —Utuga is to remain drug and alcohol free, and he is not to have any direct or indirect contact with the government’s witnesses, or try to enter the Asian store where the incident is alleged to have happened.

According to the government, it was around 11:00 p.m. on June 01 that police got a call about an intoxicated man stealing items from an Asian store in Pago Pago.

The storeowner told police the defendant came in asking for 2 cartons of cigarettes and after she placed the items on the counter, Utuga put it in his backpack.

Afterwards, the defendant asked for 2 cans of pisupo. The storeowner again gave him what he asked for, and the defendant put them in his backpack.

Utuga then asked for beer and when the owner walked towards the back to get the beer, Utuga fled, and the owner chased him down for payment.

Utuga was apprehended and placed in the storeowner’s car to await police, after Pago Pago residents who witnessed the chase assisted in his capture.

The storeowner told police this is not the first time Utuga has done this at his store. Around Christmas last year, Utuga walked into the store late at night asking for beer, but he told him it was past 10 p.m. and he couldn't sell him beer because he was too drunk.

While the owner was talking on the phone, Utuga allegedly took a pack of cigarettes and walked away. The next morning, Utuga’s mother went to the store and apologized to the owner, before paying for the cigarettes.

Utuga’s next court appearance is June 29th.