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Cousin vs cousin: Noises alarm grandfather and household

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reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 27, 2024, a male individual contacted the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report his cousin for allegedly assaulting him.

The suspect was later charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree ( As a C Misd) (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300 but not less than $150, or both; 

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300 but not less than $150, or both; and,

Count 3: Criminal Contempt, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

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

According to the affidavit, on October 27th, at approximately 8:15 p.m., a male individual contacted the FPS claiming that he had been assaulted by his cousin, James Mose at their residence.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene, they observed a shirtless male sitting in front of a tombstone located right outside the doorstep of their home.

The officers exited the police unit and proceeded towards the shirtless individual who identified himself as the reporter/victim. The victim briefed the officers on what happened.

According to the victim’s statement, he was taking a shower and when he came inside the house, he saw the suspect sitting in the living room.

Due to the suspect having a restraining order and history of being violent, the victim told the suspect to leave, but the suspect told him that he has no business telling him what to do. The victim said he told the suspect that he was going to tell their grandfather whereas the suspect allegedly grabbed a white aluminum pipe that was nearby and struck him on his calf area twice.

The victim stated that he sprinted towards the door and stood outside their home and continued calling out to the suspect to leave. The suspect then fled and pried open their back door that the victim had barricaded with nails. The suspect circled around the house and stood on the left side of the building where he threw the same aluminum pipe he had used on the victim at the victim.

The suspect then circled back to the right side of the building and was alleged to repeatedly throw rocks at the victim’s direction which resulted in a minor dent on one of his grandfather’s cars that was parked in front of the house. The noises also alarmed his grandfather and members of their household.

At the same time, the suspect was said to be shouting profanities and the Samoan war cry (fa’aūmu). Moreover, the suspect threatened to steal all valuable items at the house. The suspect’s behavior ended shortly after the police arrived.

The victim had no visible injuries and refused any medical assistance.

After the victim’s interview at the scene, a pursuit of the suspect was conducted.

Numerous efforts to locate the suspect were unsuccessful, but he has been charged.