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Alleged burglar faces charges after chainsaw goes missing

American Samoa District Court building
Joyetter@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man has been charged in a burglary that occurred earlier in the week in Leone.

Jimmy Tanielu, who is held on bail of $5,000 made his initial appearance in the District Court virtually, yesterday.

The defendant is facing charges of burglary and stealing, which are felonies and trespassing a misdemeanor.

The investigating officer in this matter is Mycah Leififi.

According to the government’s case, the Leone Police Substation (LPS) received a call on Jan. 22, seeking assistance regarding a family home that was broken into where a chainsaw was stolen, valued at $700.

According to the government, police arrived at the family residence and observed the victim holding the defendant down.

“Officers quickly exited the police unit and apprehended suspect.

“Officers gathered information and took photos of the scene and interviewed the victim and a bystander relating to this matter.”

According to the criminal complaint, the victim discovered that his chainsaw was stolen after someone had pried open the roofing of the garage to gain entrance.

It’s alleged the victim suspected that it was defendant that broke into his garage, as this is not the first time Tanielu had stolen items from the complainant’s residence, but it was never reported.

“The next day the complainant went to look for the defendant and found him sleeping and asked about the chainsaw.

“The defendant allegedly admitted to the complainant he broke into the garage and stole the chainsaw and then sold it to a stranger on the road.”

The defendant told police, that on January 17, 2023 he climbed on the tree next to the victim’s residence and jumped on roof and then opened the roofing to gain entrance into the garage.

He reiterated to police what he had told the owner of the chainsaw.