Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On February 17, 2025, a man contacted the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) and reported that his office was burglarized. A police investigation later revealed that the incident was allegedly part of a pay dispute, involving theft, property damage, and threats of assault.

The suspect was charged with:

Count 1: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment not to exceed six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both;

Count 2: Property Damage in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment not to exceed one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both;

Count 3: Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed seven years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both; and,

Count 4: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $10,000.

According to the court affidavit, on Feb. 17th, at an unknown time, suspect Anaconda Luteru broke into an office at the Tedi Fagatogo Square building and stole a heavy -duty straight wrench.

On Feb. 20th, at around 1:30 p.m., the victim walked into the FPS to report the incident. Authorities interviewed the victim and he was asked to provide a written statement.

According to the victim’s verbal statement, he was doing some work around Fagatogo Square, and later, when he went back to his office, he noticed that the digital lock on his door was broken but did not notice if anything was missing.

The victim recalled being upset and wondered who would break into his office. It was later that the suspect allegedly broke into his office again.

The suspect entered and stood at the entrance and threatened him by telling him that “I am here to kill you, so you better give me some money”. The victim also stated that he noticed that the suspect was holding his heavy-duty straight wrench that was stored in the office.

He confronted the suspect and chased him out. On Feb. 21st, at about 9:45 a.m., the officers met up with the victim and asked him to direct them to his office for a follow up investigation. However, the victim asked to do it at a later date due to health concerns because he just finished renovating part of his office.

The victim later walked the officers through what happened and directed them towards the video cameras. The officers were unable to get any footage because one of the cameras was not working and the other did not show what happened.

The victim then directed the officers to where the District Court is located and briefed them about what happened.

At a later time, the officers met up with one of the court marshals and acquired the footage of the suspect carrying the stolen wrench. Furthermore, footage of the suspect entering the store was acquired. One of the witnesses was able to identify the suspect as Anaconda Luteru.

On Feb. 22nd, the officers met with the victim again where he directed the officers to his office. The officers took pictures of the scene and led the officers to the door that was broken into with the broken digital lock.

On Feb. 24th, the suspect walked into FPS and provided a written statement to the authorities.

According to the suspect’s written statement, the reason why he did it was because he and his cousins cleaned up the Tedi Fagatogo office on Saturday and the victim told them they would receive their payment on Monday. However, when they went to the victim on Monday to get their money, the suspect was drinking beer with his co-workers. They asked about their pay, but the victim chased them away and told them they were not allowed on the premises.

The suspect said he tried to explain to the victim but he told them that he’s not paying them. The suspect stated they were unhappy about what he said so they did something “that he would not like”.

They went and broke the victim’s door and told the victim to come outside where they got into a dispute and the victim called the police.

The suspect explained that they started running and he threw the wrench near the playground and ran home.

On March 4th, at around 9:00 a.m., the officers met with the victim again for an estimate for the property damage and theft. The victim verbally stated that the digital lock was $200, the door $400; and, the wrench cost about $15.

The affidavit does not state whether the suspect was arrested or confined.

He is identified as a 19-year-old U.S National.