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Man accused of burglary allegedly ransacks rooms taking cash and electronics

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ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man who is accused of breaking into — and stealing — from a home in Nuuuli two months ago was arrested earlier this month. Faamatala Kitiona is charged with second degree burglary and stealing, both felonies; along with trespassing — a class A misdemeanor.

At initial appearance, the court established bond at $15,000 surety. If he is able to post bond, Kitiona, among other things, is not to make any direct or indirect contact with the victim.

The court affidavit states that on Dec. 11, 2019, a woman from Nuuuli called police to report a break-in at her brother’s home, which is next to her house.

The woman told police that earlier that morning, she heard noises coming from her brother’s home so she went to check and saw an open door.

When the victim returned from work that day around 4:14 p.m., he observed that someone had broken in. He then asked his sister, (the caller) to contact police. The homeowner told police that he returned home to find his room — and his cousin’s room — ransacked. He said his work clothes were missing, along with several electronic devices and $311 cash from his wallet.

At the scene, officers observed that two louvers had been removed from the window, allowing access. On Feb 3, 2020, the victim contacted CID and told them he has an eyewitness, who saw the person who burglarized his home.

When questioned by police, the eyewitness said the person who broke into the home was Faamatala Kitiona, a guy who used to hang around with his younger brother. The witness told police he saw Kitiona walking from the house on the afternoon of Dec. 11, 2019, carrying a big green bag and a speaker.

Kitiona was apprehended by police at a bus stop in Nuuuli last week and transported to the Tafuna Substation for questioning. Kitiona allegedly told police he entered the house through the door and took several items from the living room and the bedroom.

He also admitted to taking cash from a wallet and using it to buy beer and food for him and his friends.