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COURTESY OF CRIMESTOPPERS
Aaron Tuitelapaga
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Mug by Aaron Tuitelapaga courtesy of Crimestoppers Honolulu
An Oahu District Court jury on Friday found a 29-year-old man guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and three weapons offenses in connection with a 2020 robbery of an Ala Moana casino.
The jury found Aaron Tuitelapaga guilty of the murder of Sausau Togiai III on August 12, 2020.
Assistant District Attorney Scott Bell, who prosecuted the case, said: “Togiai was working security at the gaming parlor that night. He was fatally shot while trying to prevent the robbery.”
Tuitelapaga faces a life sentence with the possibility of parole following sentencing on October 16.
He also faces manslaughter charges in connection with the July 2023 killing of 36-year-old Christopher Vaefaga at the Oahu Community Correctional Center.
“This is the second conviction this year for a murder in an illegal gambling den,” said Honolulu District Attorney Steve Alm. “And less than two months ago, a man was charged with another murder in a gambling den.”
“These establishments are not only illegal. They are extremely dangerous for the people who work there, the people who squander their money there and the people who try to rob the arcades.”
“We will continue to work with the Honolulu Police Department and other partners to shut down these illegal businesses and prosecute those who commit crimes there.”
