Theft at Manu’a’s Store allegedly an “in-side job”

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Public Safety is investigating a theft at the Manu’a store in Tafuna, where cash of more than $5,000 was stolen.

Police officers involved in this matter who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the investigation and say “it’s an inside job” and then referred the questions for comments to the Department of Public Safety’s spokesperson.

Repeated calls to Deputy Police Commissioner, Terry Letuli for comments were not answered.

Manu’a’s store employees told Samoa News, a “female staffer” hid inside the store last Saturday and once it was closed it’s alleged she put on a wig and crawled in between shelves to “hide” from the camera.

It’s alleged the staff member then “broke” the lock to the office and “removed” cash received from the store’s sales on the day in question.

Furthermore staff members say that camera footage captured the suspect’s actions. They also note that she turned up to work on Tuesday.

One of the store’s managers suspected the staff member, given only her timecard wasn’t clocked out and camera footage confirmed she did not leave the store at closing time.

Police were contacted on Tuesday by some of the Manu’a’s managers to investigate the stealing case.

Samoa News also contacted Manu’a store in an attempt to get comments from Manu’a Chen, the owner, but to no avail. A message was left at the office for comments, but there has been no reply as of press time.