TAURANGA, NZ: A Tongan man accused of smashing a supermarket window because he wanted to steal a cigarette lighter is expected to reappear in the Tauranga Registrar’s Court tomorrow, September 23.
Samuela Haitonga Kavenga, 57, was arrested for allegedly stealing a Bic lighter from Countdown Fraser Cove on the night of Friday, August 2.
Kavenga appeared in court last month but his lawyer Genevieve Denize asked for an adjournment so that an interpreter could be scheduled for Kavenga.
At the time of the arrest, Tauranga Police acting Senior Sergeant Craig Madden said the man needed a light to have a cigarette, so took a trolley and smashed it through the supermarket window.
“He walked into the shop and grabbed a Bic lighter.”
The damage, which cost the super market several thousands, has been fixed overnight and Countdown was open for business on Saturday morning.
