Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 36-year old man, identified as Aloma Amituana’i, was apprehended by police on July 25, 2023 in the village of Ili’ili when it was reported that he was swearing at his stepfather. Amituana’i stated that he “would end his stepfather,” which angered his stepfather, and along with his wife they chased the man out of the house.

Amituana’i then proceeded to pack his bags and left, but returned to the house on July 26 at 4p.m and started throwing pots and pans around in the kitchen area. The stepfather told him to stop because his mother, who was in the kitchen, was sick.

Amituana’I, who was agitated, allegedly began yelling Samoan profanities at his stepfather and said that “he doesn’t care about him and that he would end him.”

The stepfather contacted the police, leading to an investigation that revealed that it was an ongoing issue — Aloma would threaten his stepfather from time to time, and they in turn would urge that “they did not want their son to come back to their house.”

In the latest episode, when officers arrived on the scene, they apprehended Aloma and transported him to TPS where he was processed for confinement at the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF).

 A total of four charges were brought against the defendant at his initial court appearance – two counts of private peace disturbance and two counts of assault in the third degree, classified as a class C misdemeanor.

Bail for Amituana’i was set at $500.

FACEBOOK POST LEADS TO FAMILY BREAKUP

A woman who was having a disagreement with her mother-in- law claimed she was assaulted by her husband on July 29, 2023, when she called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report the incident and ask for assistance. 

Officers responded within two minutes and arrived at the residence of the victim, where she identified herself as the caller and victim. Officers observed blood on her shirt while she was covering her left eye. The victim told officers that her husband, the defendant, had fled the scene right after the incident. EMS was summoned for a check-up of the victim, but she refused to be seen by a doctor.

The victim and her child were then transported to TPS for further investigation.

According to the woman, she had shared a Facebook post when her mother-in -law wrote a comment that offended her. She then went to confront her mother-in- law about the comment, and her mother-in- law started yelling at her. 

The suspect came home while she was still arguing with his mother — her mother-in- law. The victim stated that her husband tried to calm her down, but she was too upset and told him to stop defending his mother. 

The disagreement then escalated, and her husband allegedly punched her in the left eye. She then called TPS for help and on the same day at 3p.m, officers contacted Social Services to inform them of the incident and officers requested that the victim be relocated at a shelter until she leaves with her child for Samoa. 

At the TPS, social workers conducted an assessment of the victim and agreed to take the victim to a shelter until further notice.

On July 31, 2023 at 2p.m, the husband walked into TPS where he spoke with a lieutenant, and was Mirandized and made a statement. 

According to his verbal statement, “He came home and the victim and his mother were having a verbal altercation.

“He then stepped in and tried to calm down the victim but she was still yelling towards his mother, and while he was still trying to calm her down, the victim was yelling at him and that’s when he punched her and hit her in the left eye.” 

On the same day, the suspect was booked and transported to TCF. At his initial court appearance, he was charged with one count of assault in the third degree.

Bail is at $500.