Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 29, 2026, a woman called the local police substation and reported an alleged burglary at the W & K Store in Nu’uuli.

A suspect identified as Junior Maluia was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed seven years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Attempted Stealing, a class D felony punishable by imprisonment of not more than five years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both;

Count 3: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both;

Count 4: Property Damage in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both; and,

Count 5: Tampering in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, police responded to the reported burglary at the W & K Store in Nu’uuli, and upon arrival were informed that the suspect had already fled before they arrived.

Court documents state that the business owner was checking surveillance cameras before leaving the property when he noticed that one of the cameras inside the compound was no longer recording. After realizing someone was inside the property, the owner contacted an employee and requested police assistance.

Investigators said officers were escorted into the office area, where they reviewed security camera footage in an effort to identify the suspect. The footage showed Junior Maluia unlawfully entering a storage area at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Police state the footage captured Maluia attempting to carry out a ceiling fan motor housing with attached blades from inside the storage area. After placing the fan near the doorway, the suspect reportedly walked further inside the structure inadvertently revealing his face to the surveillance camera, allowing identification.

However, when he noticed the camera pointed towards him, Maluia quickly covered his face with his shirt and exited the area. A short time later, he allegedly returned with his face fully covered and moved directly toward the camera before the recording abruptly stopped.

Investigators later discovered that the surveillance camera’s wiring had been cut.

Another camera angle reportedly captured Maluia leaving the storage area carrying two flat square boxes before walking behind a nearby container. Police later recovered the boxes, which reportedly contained mirrors, behind the same container where the suspect was last seen on video.

The investigation did reveal that no property was ultimately stolen from the business because the suspect fled before removing any items from the compound.

However, officers documented damage to the storage area’s locked door, which appeared to have been pried open, along with damage to the surveillance camera wiring.

Court affidavits estimate the damage to the camera system at approximately $400.

Investigators photographed the scene and collected evidence related to the break-in and property damage.

Because Maluia had allegedly been connected to multiple burglary investigations in the past, officers immediately began searching for him following a review of the surveillance footage.

Police proceeded to a nearby residence believed to be connected to the suspect.

The officers obtained consent from a family member to search the residence. While outside the suspect’s room, officers reportedly heard Maluia responding from inside before ordering him to step out. He was then taken into custody without incident and transported to the police station for questioning.

At the station, the defendant was Mirandized where he waived his rights and agreed to provide a verbal statement regarding the incident. During questioning, Maluia admitted entering the compound by using a ladder to climb inside. He reportedly told investigators that he initially entered the property to fix a water pipe but later noticed the storage building and went inside searching for valuable items to take.

Maluia also admitted that the first item he noticed was the ceiling fan motor housing, which he moved near the doorway. He further stated that after walking deeper into the storage area, he suddenly realized a surveillance camera was recording him.

Maluia confessed that he became alarmed upon seeing the camera and quickly left while covering his face with his shirt. He then returned with his shirt fully covering his head and intentionally pulled apart the camera wires to stop the recording.

The defendant further admitted carrying two boxes containing mirrors from the storage area before becoming startled by nearby yelling. He then abandoned the boxes behind a container and fled the scene without taking any property.

Following the interview, officers booked Maluia and transported him to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he remained pending his appearance before the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 26-year-old U.S citizen.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on April 30, 2026.

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.]