Three men, all former employees at Bluebird Lumber and Hardware in Salelologa, Savai’i, have been charged with theft as a servant.

They are accused of stealing chainsaws and cross-cutters.

The defendants, Tauati Vaeau, Emosi Fuiavailii and Sonny Viliamu appeared before Supreme Court Justice Leiataualea Daryl Clarke on Monday. 

Vaeau alone pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Initial thefts allegedly occurred late last year but a subsequent incident of theft is also alleged to have happened three months ago..

According to the Government’s case, two chainsaws valued at approximately $4,400 were stolen in late December 2019 from the fraachise's store in Salelologa.

On another occasion, early this year in April, cross-cutters, a chainsaw and other hardware were stolen from the same Salelologa location.

The value of the items taken in April exceeds $6,000.

Fuiavailii and Viliamu have pleaded guilty to charges of theft as a servant.

They will appear for sentencing before Justice Leiataualesa on 22 June, 2020.

Vaeau makes his next court appearance on 30 June, 2020.

The defendants were remanded on bail and were instructed to abide by their bail conditions.

Prosecuting the case was Fuifui Ioane from the Attorney General’s Office.