Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 17, 2025, a bus driver walked into the Leone Police Substation (LPS) and reported an alleged theft involving an unknown individual.

The suspect was later charged with Count 1: Stealing, a class C felony punishable by a term of imprisonment for not more than seven years, a fine not to exceed $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant’s bail was set at $5,000.

According to court records, on Oct. 18th, at approximately 8:55 a.m., a man (later identified as the reporter) entered the LPS. The reporter alleged that an unknown individual stole a car stereo from the bus he was driving in front of a store in Puapua.

Authorities interviewed the reporter, who explained that on Oct 17, 2025, around 8:20 a.m., he had parked in front of the Canton Store in Puapua. He went inside the store, but upon returning, he noticed that the car stereo was missing. He went back into the store and asked the cashier if he could view the cameras, but he was told to come back the next day.

The reporter also informed the officers that, due to being tired after a long day of work, he had not reported the incident to the police at the time. He also noted that the cost of the stolen car stereo was about $200.

At about 9:10 a.m., the officers proceeded to follow up at the Canton Mart for camera review. Upon arrival at the store, they met with the cashier, and the authorities requested to view the camera footage from Oct 17, 2025, at the time of the incident.

Upon viewing the footage, the officers saw the suspect, who was wearing a dark grey shirt and smoking a cigarette, enter the bus unlawfully, and run away with a stolen object.

The officers recognized the suspect from the video due to his involvement in previous cases. He was later identified as Eteuati Fifita.

The officers went to locate the suspect at his residence, and when they arrived they met with his parents, who informed them that the suspect was not home. The officers requested the suspect’s parents to contact them when the suspect returned.

At approximately 1:35 p.m., the authorities contacted the bus owner, who was also the victim. The victim stated that the reporter informed him of the incident and confirmed that the stereo cost $200.

The affidavit does not state if Mr. Fifita has since been taken into custody.

The defendant is identified as a 22-year-old U.S national.