Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 17, 2024, a security guard from the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report an alleged theft at the ASCC Land Grant taro plantation.

Two suspects, Pouvi Telefoni and William Asiata were arrested and charged separately.

Pouvi Asiata was charged with:

Count 1 & 2: Resisting Arrest, a class D felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than five years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both;

Count 3: Stealing, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than seven years, a fine of not more than $5,000.00 or an amount equal to twice the amount of gain from the commission of the crime for up to a maximum of $20,000 , or both;

Count 4: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of $500, or both; and,

Count 5: Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

Pouvi Telefoni’s bail was set at $80,000.

William Asiata was charged with:

Count 1: Stealing, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than seven years, a fine of not more than $5,000 or an amount equal to twice the amount of gain from the commission of the crime for up to a maximum of $20,000 , or both;

Count 2: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of $500, or both; and,

Count 3: Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), a felony punishable by imprisonment of not less than five years, nor more than 10 years, a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $20,000.00, or both.

William Asiata’s bail was set at $20,000.

According to the affidavit, on September 17th, at 9:34 a.m., a security officer from the ASCC reported an alleged theft at the ASCC Land Grant in Malaeimi. The stolen items included a significant quantity of freshly harvested taro. It is claimed the suspect(s) illegally removed the taro from the plantation by jumping over the net barrier designed to restrict access.

Police officers responded to the scene and met up with the security guard who explained that the taro plantation, managed by ASCC, had been breached — the suspect(s) entered by scaling a net barrier. The head of security told the officers that a Land Grant employee was waiting for them at the roadside market across from Neil’s Ace Home Center.

Authorities proceeded to the market and spoke with a Land Grant employee. He reported that upon arriving at work, he discovered the taros had been stolen and the plantation at the ASCC Land Grant had been damaged. The Land Grant employee suspected that the stolen taro might have been sold at a nearby roadside market. He then stated that he purchased two bags of taro from one of the markets which he believed were stolen taro due to their appearance. He confirmed this by cutting the taro and noting its yellowish color, consistent with the Land Grant taro.

The Land Grant employee had a Chinese/Vietnamese translator, another employee of the ASCC Land Grant assist him by translating their conversation with the market owner. The market owner admitted to buying the taro from two unknown individuals earlier that morning.

The owner also provided video footage showing the sales transaction, which was later reviewed by the officers. The footage revealed a license plate number leading the officers to identify the vehicle as a rental.

At about 10:35 a.m., the officers went back to the ASCC Land grant to collect pictures of what happened at the scene.

At about 12:03 p.m., while patrolling westbound on Iliili, authorities observed the vehicle heading eastbound near a store in Iliili next to the Catholic church.

Officers conducted a U-turn and stopped the vehicle at one of the restaurants and laundromat in Iliili. One of the officers approached the driver, a female, while another officer approached the passenger side.

They identified the passenger as William Asiata, who resembled one of the suspects seen on the footage. William Asiata was later confirmed as a suspect.

The driver was later identified as the first suspect’s wife who was informed of the traffic stop and complied.

The couple were then asked to exit the vehicle and were immediately detained. While being detained William passed an item to his wife, but was stopped by one of the officers. Upon inspecting the item, the officer discovered a medium sized baggie with what appeared to be a crystalline substance inside a dollar bill. The dollar bill was then given to the suspect’s wife while the baggie was secured by police officers.

After seizing the item, Vice & Narcotics were immediately contacted. William was handcuffed and returned to the vehicle, however, his wife was transported to the TPS in the police unit.

At about 12:19 p.m., both parties were transported to the TPS for further investigation and processing, with one of the responding officers driving the involved vehicle with the suspect as a passenger, while the other officers escorted his wife.

Upon arrival at the TPS, the suspect was handed over to Vice & Narcotics for further questioning and processing. One of the police captains also tested the crystalline substance from the small clear baggie using the Methamphetamine Field Test Kit and it revealed a positive result for methamphetamine (ice).

According to the Vice & NARCS report, William Asiata was Mirandized and agreed to make a statement.

According to suspect #1, Asiata, after being pulled over by police, he and his wife were notified of his involvement in their ongoing investigation. He stated that he was told to step out of the vehicle and when he did, he remembered there was a baggie of ice (meth) inside his pocket. He immediately brought it out and gave it to his wife, and heard one of the officers instruct his wife to reveal what was given to her and she did. The officer asked what it was but they didn’t answer.

The suspect also spoke of the taro incident, explaining that he received a call from Pouvi Telefoni (suspect #2) that morning at around 6:00 a.m. to pick him up at the roadside by the ASCC Land Grant compound near the fence.

When he arrived at the location, he observed suspect #2 jumping out of the ASCC Land Grant fence with two large taro bags. Asiata also admitted that he knew the taros were stolen by Telefoni.

Asiata explained that Telefoni had called him to pick him up right across at a taxi stand and he (Telefoni) admitted that he just completed a mission by stealing taros from Land Grant. Asiata then told Telefoni that he knows someone that buys taros and they headed to the business owner’s house that morning.

He said after picking up Telefoni, they went to the business man to sell the stolen taros which they received $140.00 plus. After leaving the business owner’s residence, they both went home so that Asiata and his wife could drop off their kids at school that morning.

At about 3:00 p.m., William Asiata was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) for 48 hours by the Vice & Narcotics Unit.

Around 4:16 p.m., officers proceeded to locate the second suspect; however, a neighbor informed the officers that Telefoni resides with Asiata.

At about 4:45 p.m., police officers canvassed around Asiata’s residence but Telefoni was nowhere to be seen. Officers then inform William Asiata’s wife to contact police when Telefoni returns.

At about 5:00 p.m., Asiata’s wife contacted police and informed them that Telefoni was hiding in the house.

Officers then responded to the location and upon arrival, the crowd pointed out where the suspect was hiding. Authorities approached the left side of the building while other officers approached the right side and the front side.

One of the officers tried to apprehend Telefoni but he resisted, and attempted to stab the officer with a 5-inch box cutter which injured the officer’s left side arm. The officer fell down and was assisted to a safe ground by another police officer. Telefoni then ran away and threw rocks at the officers and the neighbors and headed into the bushes. The neighbors helped the offices chase down the suspect but he was nowhere to be seen. Due to safety reasons, the officers left the area.

The following day, September 18th, at around 1:46 p.m, an unknown caller reported to the TPS that Telefoni was observed wearing a gray sleeveless jersey and red shorts; he was walking near the Taxi Stand heading North of Fagaima road.

Authorities responded to the call and as they approach suspect #2, he started running away again. Officers chased him down whereas he swung a golf club at the officers to keep them away. He also threw rocks at the officers. One of the officers was injured while taking Telefoni down. The suspect resisted by kicking and trying to flee from the officers.

The suspect sustained injuries on his back, minor scratches to his face and hands. Also, there was an injury on his right foot that was covered in bandages.

While transporting Telefoni to the TPS, medical treatment was requested at the station. Upon arrival of the EMS paramedics at the station, they treated the wounded officers and Telefoni.

Police officers Mirandized Telefoni and he agreed to make a statement.

Telefoni verbally stated that he knowingly and unlawfully entered into the ASCC Land Grant taro plantation and stole approximately 50 plus taros at around 3:00 a.m. Later, he called William Asiata to pick him up from the ASCC Land Grant with the stolen taro. He also admitted that they took the taros to a business man and sold them for $140.00.

The suspect was booked and confined at the TCF for 48 hours awaiting his arrest warrant.

William Asiata is identified as a 33-year-old U.S National and Pouvi Telefoni is identified as 35 year-old U.S National.