Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 28, 2025, an off-duty officer called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported an intoxicated man who allegedly assaulted a store employee after harassing a customer.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both;

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both;

Count 3: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both; and,

Count 4: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable for up to six months, a fine notto exceed $500, or both.

 The defendant’s bail was set at $3,000.

According to court records, on Apr. 28th around 3:05 p.m, TPS received a call from an off-duty officer (reporter) regarding a man (suspect) who assaulted a TSM  store employee, and that the man was also disturbing the peace by shouting profanities inside the store that was full of customers.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival, they observed a lot of customers rushing out of the store. The officers quickly exited the police unit and the customers pointed out the suspect.

The suspect was apprehended immediately where authorities detected a strong smell of alcohol emitting from him. The suspect was later revealed to be Tanielu Tuli. He was placed into the police unit while the officer met with the victims and witnesses from the scene.

According to victim #1, he works at TSM and this is not the first time that the suspect came into the store asking customers for money while intoxicated. He and other employees tried to chase the suspect out but he started to get aggressive and cussed at them.

Victim #1 further explained that the suspect was observed asking customers for money shortly after entering the store. He followed the suspect in case he might do something bad to the customers. A few minutes later, he saw the suspect kiss a lady on the cheek where the lady took a step back. At the same time, the suspect asked the lady for money. He approached the suspect and told him that he shouldn’t be doing that to the customers and that he should leave the store.

However, the suspect got aggressive and yelled profanities at him and punched him. Victim #1 stated that he was scared for his life, so he stepped back while the suspect continued to yell profanities at him. Fortunately, one of the customers stopped the suspect and called the police for assistance.

The victim reported to the officers that he felt pain in his chest and a red rash was visible on his chest and neck.

Victim #2 stated that she was approached by the suspect who asked for money. As they were having a conversation, victim #2 explained that she was shocked when the suspect kissed her on the cheek. She stepped back to try and avoid the suspect. She also stated that she smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from the suspect’s breath.

She added that the TSM employee approached the suspect and she confirmed what he had told the police happened — the suspect yelling profanities at him and punching him in the chest. Victim #2 further stated that she knew the suspect but she was shocked and disturbed when the incident happened.

The suspect was transported to the TPS where he was Mirandized and refused to make a statement.

He was later booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

Tuli is identified as a 51-year-old U.S National.