Burglary defendant found guilty and sentenced

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man who was found guilty of misdemeanor burglary has been sentenced to 12 months probation, under several conditions that include being a law-abiding citizen and not returning to the crime scene.

The government’s case against Richard Felise surfaced two months ago, when a man reported to police that equipment in his truck, which was parked in front of a store in Fagatogo, while he was inside the store, had gone missing.

A witness who saw Felise taking the equipment contacted police.

Felise told police that he wanted to sell the equipment to a neighbor for cash to buy beer for himself and his friends. The equipment was recovered and returned to the owner.

Besides probation, the defendant was ordered to pay a fine of $150 to the court.