Woman allegedly stole purse, wedding ring set in Maalaea

WAILUKU — A Kahului woman was arrested for allegedly taking another woman’s purse containing credit cards and a wedding ring set after it was left in a bathroom stall at a Maalaea store.

Miriam Auwae, 43, was charged with fraudulent use of a credit card, theft of a credit card and first-degree theft.

The theft occurred the afternoon of Dec. 14 at Maalaea General Store. The same day, a credit card was used at a nearby gas station and restaurant in Maalaea. Attempts were made to use the credit card at Kelly’s Mini Mart in Kahului, but the charges were declined.

A police officer identified Auwae as the woman seen on surveillance video at the Kahului store, according to a declaration filed in court to support the charges.

The victim estimated the value of her stolen property, including her wedding ring and band, at $36,405.

The stolen gold wedding band was recovered Dec. 21 after it was pawned by Auwae at a pawn shop in Kahului, according to the declaration.

Auwae was arrested in the early morning Thursday at Maalaea Harbor.

During her initial appearance Friday in Wailuku District Court, Deputy Prosecutor Joshua Kent asked for bail to be reduced from $50,000 to $10,000 for Auwae.

She has prior convictions for second-degree theft and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and was sentenced to five years in prison for those convictions, Kent said. He said Auwae also has convictions for third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, third-degree theft and two counts of thirddegree assault.

Auwae asked to be released on supervision, with Deputy Public Defender Joan Tuers saying Auwae wasn’t working and couldn’t afford to post bail.

Judge Bevanne Bowers set Auwae’s bail at $10,000 pending a bail hearing Wednesday.