Two 16-year-olds are facing adult felony charges in connection with an armed robbery at a Talofofo convenience store, according to a court affidavit.
Prosecutors allege Ke’an Kaleo Aguero Quenga and Dereck J. Martinez were involved in the Jan. 27 robbery of New Morning Mart, where masked suspects reportedly threatened a store employee with a machete-like weapon and stole cash and merchandise.
Court documents state the victim, a female employee, was stocking a cooler around 7:24 p.m. when several individuals entered the store. She went to the counter and saw two masked males behind the register. When she questioned them, one allegedly pointed a "machete-like weapon" at her and demanded money.
Investigators say one suspect told her to hurry as she opened the register. Cash was taken from the drawer while another person grabbed nearby merchandise. Two additional males entered before all four fled.
The employee later discovered her black Michael Kors wallet was also taken from behind the counter. She told police it contained at least $2,700. The register held a $400 change fund and showed $933.94 in sales at the time. Cigarettes and a lighter were also reported stolen.
The next day, Quenga approached officers at the Talofofo Fire Station and later gave a handwritten statement after being advised of his rights, admitting details consistent with the robbery, the complaint states. Police said his mother was aware of the interaction.
A minor identified as M.E. also provided a statement consistent with the victim’s account and identified Martinez as a participant, along with another person who remains at large.
Both teens are charged with second-degree robbery and theft. Bail was set at $5,000 cash for Quenga and $10,000 cash for Martinez.