A 41-year-old man is being held on bail of $50,000 on a charge of receiving stolen property.
Leroy Vaanatiu is accused of taking an HP laptop, which he allegedly knew was stolen, and selling it at the IFIX Store in Pavaiai for $140.
According to the government’s case, the laptop was among several items that were stolen from two homes in Fogagogo on May 28, 2025. Court filings identify the person who allegedly broke into the two homes as Elioenai Kuresa, also known as Jonah, 23 years old.
Among the stolen loot was a weed eater, iPad, sports shoes and an army rucksack containing military tactical accessories like gloves, boots, belt, and a helmet.
According to court documents, Kuresa hid the stolen items in bushes near one of the burglarized homes. On May 29, Vaanatiu, accompanied by Kuresa, allegedly drove his rental car to the location where the loot was hidden and retrieved them.
When police questioned a close friend of Kuresa—whom they knew scavenged and sold golf balls at the golf course—the friend said Kuresa has boasted about breaking into homes in Fogagogo and stealing several items including a weed eater.
