Woman allegedly steals cell phone after her's is taking too long to be repaired

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Owner of F&F Electronic Repair Shop contacted the Tafuna Police Substation on October 5, 2023 at 10:39 AM, in regards to a woman who had allegedly stolen an iPhone 6S plus that was displayed inside the phone case cabinet of his business. 

Officers responded to the call in Nu’uuli, and then met with the owner who briefed them and also told them that the defendant had left the scene in a vehicle. Department of Public Safety officers gathered more information and acquired a video footage of the incident. 

Officers contacted the suspect through her personal cell phone, and briefed her on the situation. The defendant, identified as Telesia Toniga, was told by officers to come into the TPS, but refused and told officers that she was already heading home. 

According to the repair shop owner, a month ago the woman walked into his shop and needed help fixing her phone. The victim says he informed the defendant that it would take a while to fix her phone, and that he’ll need to send it off island for further repair because he did not have the required tools to repair it. He said the defendant came to an understanding on this agreement — that phone would have to be sent off-island and it would take awhile.

On October 5, the defendant walked into the victim’s shop to follow up, and the victim told the defendant to give him 10 more days, as the phone is still off island.

In response, the defendant started making unreasonable noises inside the shop, and walked towards one of the phone displays, and grabbed an iPhone 6S without any consent or permission from the owner. The victim pleaded with the defendant to return the phone, but she refused and left. 

According to the defendant, she took the iPhone 6S to replace her iPhone 7 that was brought in for repair. Officers attempted more than once to advise the defendant to come into TPS to talk, but she refused and told officers it was none of their business. 

An arrest warrant was then issued for Toniga, and she will be facing a felony charge of stealing, with bail set at $1,000.00.

As of press time, the defendant has not been apprehended and is still on the loose.