Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 10, 2026, a woman, identified as the victim, walked into the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report two men for suspected theft. The investigation that followed included what can be identified as an essential component in community and police helping each other to make our territory safer. The investigation was aided by public posts on facebook about an alleged theft ring for scrape-metal after a post by the woman’s daughter online about the theft went viral.

The suspects, later identified as Schcymindaran Naidu and Tuimailagi Suaava were arrested and both charged with:

Count 1: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and,
Count 2: Stealing, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.

The defendants’ bails were set at $5,000.

According to court documents, two men were reported by a woman to have allegedly stolen several tire rims from her property.

The victim told police that earlier that morning, at approximately 10:00 a.m., she observed two men arrive in a vehicle, and they entered the area of her front yard where several used tire rims had been placed in a pile. She said she saw the men taking the rims and loading them into their vehicle.

The victim stated that she rushed toward the vehicle and began waving and shouting for the individuals to stop after she saw the last tire rim being loaded into the vehicle. Instead of stopping, the vehicle pulled away from the residence and sped off.

Police later determined that a total of four tire rims had been taken from the property.

The victim reportedly estimated that each of the used tire rims was worth less than $50, depending on the condition of each rim. Although the rims were not considered to be of significant monetary value, the victim stated that they had been kept for her husband's intended use in other fixtures.

The residence was described in the affidavit as having a front yard bordered by bushes and plants, with the area being somewhat secluded. Because of the circumstances and the distance involved, the victim was unable to obtain a clear identification of either individual.

However, the victim was able to provide investigators with information regarding the vehicle, including its color, make and license plate number.

The investigation subsequently received additional information after the victim's daughter posted about the alleged theft on Facebook.

Other members of the public who claimed to have been victims of separate incidents involving the same vehicle began responding to the Facebook post. 

Some of those individuals reportedly provided video footage that allegedly showed the vehicle bearing the alleged license plate number and possible individuals involved in other reported theft incidents.

The vehicle information was then disseminated among law enforcement personnel.

Officers were instructed that if the vehicle was located, it was to be brought to the nearest police station for further investigation.

The following day, Sept. 11th, at approximately 9:50 a.m., officers observed a vehicle bearing the alleged license plate number traveling along the Futiga Highway.

The vehicle was subsequently stopped and impounded at the TPS as officers continued their investigation into the reported theft.

Upon the vehicle's arrival at the TPS, officers encountered Tuimailagi Sua’ava (suspect #1), who was identified as a passenger in the vehicle.

Sua’ava appeared to be one of the individuals depicted in video footage that had been provided to investigators in connection with another alleged stealing incident involving the same vehicle.

Suspect #1 was Mirandized and he indicated that he understood his rights and agreed to provide a statement to investigators.

During the interview, Sua’ava identified Schcymindaran Naidu, also known as “Kisegi”, as the person who suggested taking the four tire rims.

According to Sua’ava's statement, he and Naidu allegedly drove by the residence in Leone, located across from Midkiff Elementary School. He told investigators that Naidu suggested they take the four rims from the property.

Moreover, Naidu informed him that the family who owned the property was off-island and that the items were trash.

Sua’ava admitted that he participated in taking the rims and transporting them to a residence in Mapusaga where he resided with the Naidu brothers.

The rims were allegedly left at the Mapusaga residence and were reportedly being prepared to be sold.

Sua’ava further told investigators that he had known Naidu from childhood, as they grew up together and was familiar with the manner in which Naidu communicated through hand gestures.

Suaa’ava also claimed Naidu and his brothers had been involved in other stealing incidents and had used different vehicles while committing the alleged acts.

He reportedly told investigators that a majority of the alleged stealing incidents were initiated by Kisegi.

He also provided investigators with information regarding what allegedly happened to scrap metal collected during the incidents.

Moreover, suspect #1 stated that the scrap metal was generally sold to a store located near the golf course or to another store located near the ocean in Nu'uuli Tai, past a gas station.

Investigators later met with Naidu (suspect #2), who had reportedly been driving the vehicle when it was located.

The affidavit specifically noted that Naidu has a speech impairment and is mute. He reportedly communicated primarily through hand gestures and hand signs. 

However, the affidavit also stated that he was able to hear and write and appeared to understand what was being said and asked during the interaction with investigators.

Because of Naidu's inability to speak, investigators used questions that could be answered through affirmative or negative responses.

Before questioning began, Naidu was Mirandized. According to the affidavit, Naidu nodded his head and made an "okay" hand gesture, which investigators interpreted as an indication that he understood his rights.

Investigators then asked Naidu whether he had been involved in the stealing of the four tire rims from the residence in Leone on Sept. 10.

Naisu shook his head, indicating that he was not involved in the alleged theft.

Investigators also asked Naidu whether he had knowledge of the tire rims that had allegedly been stolen from the Leone residence. Again, suspect #2 nodded his head, indicating that he did have knowledge of the stolen rims.

The investigation also included information regarding other alleged incidents involving the same individuals and vehicles.

The affidavit further stated that Naidu, his brother and other alleged accomplices, including Sua’ava, had reportedly been observed by members of the public in several districts, including Tualauta, Tualatai and Ituau.

The individuals were allegedly observed driving the suspected vehicles and were seen entering properties and taking items that had been left outside or otherwise  around residences that had no one there at the time.

Investigation indicated that these reports had been described as ongoing occurrences.

Following the investigation into the alleged theft of the four tire rims, both Sua’ava and Naidu were booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility in Tafuna.

The two men were reportedly held for 48 hours pending the next available sitting of the court.

Sua’ava is identified as a 33-year-old citizen of Samoa and Naidu is identified as a 30-year-old citizen of Fiji.

The affidavits were filed in the District Court on Sept. 13, 2026.

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.]