A man who committed 14 burglaries involving six stores, a church, two restaurants and five homes was sentenced to 16 years in jail.

Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond who was flanked by Associate Judges Mamea Sala Jr and Muasau Tofili handed down sentencing for Joseph Iakopo. The defendant was charged with 34 criminal counts, which range from burglary first and second degree, attempted burglary, stealing, first-degree assault and property damage. During sentencing the defendant apologized for his actions pleaded with the court for leniency. Iakopo also apologized to the families and the businesses he burglarized.

Assistant Public Defender Mike White asked the court for leniency in this case noting that he understands the defendant should serve some jail time for the cases he’s involved in.

However, the prosecutor, Assistant Attorney General Jessica Bargman disagreed telling the court the defendant is a career criminal who has not learned his lesson from a previous conviction when he stole from his then-employer, and he should be incarcerated to keep society safe from their homes and businesses being burglarized. She noted that the defendant had even stolen a vehicle to remove the stolen items from the home he burglarized.

GOVERNMENT’S CASE

The government’s case claims in a 30-page affidavit that there were 14 burglaries, including attempted burglaries as well as property damage and assault.

On January 30, 2013 the defendant allegedly broke into the Ocean Store; on February 3, 2013 police officers were informed about an attempted burglary of the Canton Mart, in Lepuapua. According to the government’s case, on the same night of the Canton Mart attempted burglary, the defendant went to Janice Cold Spot in and on that same night Iakopo allegedly broke into another store in Pava’ia’i — Vaiala Mart where proceeding into another room, he encountered an Asian man sleeping who woke up, and the defendant then stabbed the storeowner with a knife and kicked him in the stomach.

On March 11, 2013, it was reported to the police that an unknown person had broken into the Union World store and government also claims the Kapamilya store was broken into as well.

The next day, the manager of Toa’s Bar and Grill reported to police that someone had broken into the restaurant.

On March 13, 2013, it was reported to police that someone broke into the “Lucky Dragon” in Maleimi.

In addition to the business burglaries, the government claims the defendant allegedly broke into Ierusalema Fou Church, and into the home of their pastor. Then in April and May 2013, a series of break-ins were reported from the Canco Hill area of Pavaia’i.

This case was first reported in the June 17, 2013 issue.