Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man was arrested and booked after allegedly stealing $2,000 from a safe at a business in Pavaiai. The defendant, Dang Hu'u Lanh, is accused of taking money from a safe at Michael's Spa, where funds belonging to the business and his ex-wife’s restaurant were reportedly kept. 

The suspect was charged with Count 1: Stealing (As a class A Misd.), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, police received information about the alleged theft on July 20, 2026. The victim told police that money had been missing from the safe for approximately two weeks but had not initially been reported because the owner of the money said she did not know who had taken it.

On the morning of July 19, the victim reportedly contacted Lanh by text message and informed him that some of her money was missing. She allegedly told him that she suspected he may have taken the money because similar incidents had previously occurred involving him.

The following day, July 20, Lanh allegedly responded by text message, apologizing for taking money from the victim without permission. The suspect then asked for forgiveness and promised that he would not xxxxc anymore.

The victim also told police that she and Lanh were legally divorced before they came to American Samoa from Vietnam.

The victim provided police with screenshots of the alleged text messages, along with translations, as part of the investigation.

Police subsequently attempted to locate Lanh in the Vaitogi area but were initially unable to find him. Investigators later received information that he was staying at a friend's residence in Petesa.

On July 23, the victim went to the TPS and provided additional information regarding Lanh's whereabouts.

Police were able to locatedLanh in Petesa and brought him to the TPS for further investigation. 

According to the affidavit, Lanh was advised of his constitutional rights, and he reportedly acknowledged that he understood his rights, waived them, and agreed to provide a verbal statement.

During his statement, Lanh allegedly admitted taking $2,000 from the safe. He told the police that he had been sleeping at the salon when his ex-wife left the keys to the safe on a chair inside the room where they slept.

He allegedly stated that he got up, took the keys, opened the safe and removed $2,000.

Lanh reportedly told investigators that he then left the business and went to a friend's house.

The suspect claimed that he gave $1,000 to one friend to whom he owed money, and reportedly gave another $400 to a second friend in Petesa.

Lanh also told police that the remaining $600 was still in Petesa.

Police noted that Lanh declined to provide the names of the friends to whom he allegedly gave the money.

The victim reportedly told police that she was concerned Lanh could return to her salon and steal additional money without her knowledge.

Following the investigation, Lanh was booked and confined pending the next sitting of the District Court.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 27, 2026.

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is 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.]