Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On February 1, 2024, a police officer patrolling in Nu'uuli observed a male individual, later identified as Alapati Lopao’o, chasing down another male individual, identified as Gaupule Full, who had allegedly stolen money from Lopao’o’s car, according to the affidavit.

The suspect was arrested and charged with the following:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance — class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for six (6) months, a fine of $500, or both;

Count 2: Stealing — a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, a fine of $1,000, or both; and,

Count 3: Property Damage in Third Degree — a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

Defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

According to the affidavit, on February 1, 2024 at around 8:45 am, an officer heading westbound on Nuuuli public highway observed a male (later identified as Alapati Lopao’o, who is also the victim) heading east on the Nuuuli sidewalk.

The victim was approached by the officer near the Laufou Shopping Center where he briefed the officer on what had happened. The suspect was also observed running towards the Laufou Center and entered the building where he was seen by the officer near the Carl’s Jr. restaurant.

The officer approached the suspect and he stated to the officer that Mr. Lopao’o “is trying to beat him up”.

While Fulu was explaining his side of the story, Lopao’o approached the suspect and asked him, “Where is the money that was in his vehicle?”

The suspect was observed holding a closed fist and threw a punch at the victim, where it landed on the glass window of the Carl’s Jr. restaurant causing the glass window to crack.

The victim was then instructed by the officer to head back to the convenience store (Lucky 7) where the incident had taken place and another police officer would meet him there.

The officer apprehended Fulu and placed him in the police unit. The police officers met up with the officer on the scene at the Lucky 7 store parking lot and were briefed on the said matter.

The officers then approached the victim where he verbally stated that after returning from the ATM machine, he pulled up to Lucky 7 to get Cash Power (ASPA Debit Meter).

While exciting his vehicle, he put $120 next to the driver’s seat and went inside the store to get a $40 Cash Power. He also stated that both of the front side windows of his vehicle were rolled down and the vehicle was also unlocked. The victim explained that when heading towards the entrance of the store, he heard Fulu greet him with a “good morning”. The victim returned the greeting and continued to walk inside the store.

About five minutes later, the victim returned to his vehicle where he was informed by one of the male individuals standing near the store waiting for a bus that he saw Fulu going through Lopao’o’s vehicle and allegedly grabbed an unknown amount of money from inside his vehicle.

Lopao’o checked inside his vehicle and found the $120 missing. He then asked the male individual to identify the individual who had gone inside his vehicle, at which point he pointed to Fulu.

According to the affidavit, the victim confronted the suspect regarding his missing money, but Fulu stated he didn’t take anything.

The victim explained that the suspect then started running, and he chased after him, and was later approached by the officer near the Laufou Shopping Center driveway. Police asked the victim for a written statement, which he provided later.

The police officers approached the owner of the Lucky 7 store and asked to view the video footage from the store’s surveillance camera.

The footage was reviewed and according to the affidavit, appears to show Fulu entering Lopao’o’s vehicle and grabbing money from inside. The suspect then walked back to the other side of the store and counted the money he removed from the victim’s vehicle.

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

The suspect is identified as a 34-year-old, U.S National.