Three teenagers facing multiple burglary charges have been released from custody following a court appearance in Rarotonga on Thursday.

The trio are accused of being involved in two high-profile burglaries in which clothing retailer Fave Designs was targeted in early March 13 and South Seas International raided in early April.

They were remanded in custody on May 5 as Police had concerns amid ongoing investigations.

Police again called for one of the trio to be remanded in custody when they all appeared in the Criminal Court yesterday before Justice of the Peace Nadine Newnham.    

Cook Islands News can now reveal the names of the two men aged 18 and 19, and a woman, 18, each facing two charges of burglary, as name suppression has been lifted.

They are Edward Tonorio, Eve Rahela Teeio Check and Polycarp Jay-Z Tarai. 

Police asked that Tarai be remanded back into custody as he was believed to be the leading hand in a number of burglaries and investigations were still ongoing.

He had just completed a sentence of probation in connection to an aggravated robbery and Police believed he had been involved in other burglaries.

His lawyer Lavi Rokoika challenged Police recommendations on the grounds there should be just cause to keep him in custody, he was aged under 21, and that custody only be considered if there was no other option but prison.

Rokoika said the Court needed to look at his background, he left school at 15, and was largely responsible for his six siblings.

He was employed and his work would keep him busy.

Given the nature of the charges, the matter would be referred to the High Court, and a trial, at the earliest, would be held next year.

For him to remain in custody for that duration would be unjust, Rokoika said.

Police again opposed, saying investigations were still in the early stages, again saying Tarai was believed to be the leading hand in a number of burglaries.

Police asked that he be remanded in custody to June 1.

Rokoika said the inability of police to do their work should not be grounds for keeping her client in custody.

JP Newnham said they would take a recess for 10 minutes before it was announced the Court would break for lunch.

When the matter was recalled after lunch, JP Newnham said she would be granting Tarai bail and asked Police to be ready with any further bail conditions, in that Tarai not be allowed to associate with his co-defendants.

JP Newnham then asked Rokoika if she could confirm Tarai had a residence.

Rokoika said co-defendant Eve Rahela Teeio Check was his partner and they shared a residence.

JP Newnham then asked for the name of the person the couple would be residing with before Check’s father confirmed his name, and that they would be staying with him.

Tarai was granted bail with a 7pm to 7am curfew, told to reside with Eve Rahela Teeio Check’s father, ordered to report to police every Friday, not to leave Rarotonga and stay away from Fave Designs and South Seas. The matter was adjourned to July 27.

When Edward Tonorio appeared, his lawyer Michelle Tangimama said she was intending on applying for bail, but asked Police to confirm bail conditions.

Police asked that Tonorio be given a 7pm to 7am curfew, reside with his mother, report to Police every Friday and not enter Fave Designs or South Seas.

Tangimama then asked for the matter to be stood down as her client refused for name suppression to be lifted.

When the matter was recalled ten minutes later, Tangimama said she had sought instruction from her client who had agreed to the lifting of name suppression.

She was not opposed to bail conditions.

The matter was adjourned to June 1 while Tonorio was given a 7pm to 7am curfew, told to stay with his mother, and report to police every Friday.

He was told not to leave Rarotonga and stay away from Fave Designs and South Seas.

When Check’s name was called, lawyer Norman George said he would like the matter adjourned to June 1.

He asked for disclosure and was happy for name suppression to be lifted.

Check was given a 7pm to 7am curfew, told to reside at her parent’s house, report to police every Friday, not to leave Rarotonga, and not enter Fave Designs or South Seas.

The matter was adjourned to June 1.