Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 23, 2025, a couple walked into the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report that their home was allegedly burglarized.

A suspect was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to seven years, a fine of up to $5,000.00, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Stealing, a class C felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to seven years, a fine of up to $5,000.00, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 3: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $500.00, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 4: Property, a class B misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to $500.00, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant’s bail was set at $20,000.00.

According to the court affidavit, on Jan. 23rd, a couple walked into the TPS and reported that their family home was allegedly burglarized by an unknown person.

The couple wanted to file a report regarding the burglary and the important belongings that were missing.

As authorities conducted the interview, the woman claimed that they left their home at around 8:00 a.m. She dropped off her husband to work and then her children at school. She mentioned that both of the doors at their home were locked (front and back doors).

However, when they returned home around 8:00 p.m., she noticed that the back door of their house was pried open, which she then ran back to her husband and told him.

After showing her husband the pried door, she quickly viewed the video footage on her phone and saw a man walking around in their home. The man was shirtless and wearing black shorts, when she viewed the time of the incident it was 12:43 p.m.

The officers later made a follow up and retrieved the video footage from one of the victims smartphones.

The officers proceeded to the victim’s home, where they were directed to the scene and later confirmed the damages. The door knob was damaged with its screws off and the back door was pried open. Authorities canvassed the perimeter for more clues but nothing was found. The officers also asked the neighbors if they’ve seen anyone coming to the area to which they replied “no”.

On Jan. 24th, around 9:46 a.m., the victims contacted the TPS again and claimed that she met up with an individual in front of a store. The said individual was allegedly in possession of one of the victim’s wireless bluetooth speakers. The officers responded immediately and upon arrival they met up with one of the victims and two men.

The officers conducted a field interview with one of the men and he stated that the speaker was sold to him for $20 by a man named Iose Suapusi.

The officers were able to locate Mr. Suapusi and transported him to the TPS for questioning.

Upon arrival at the TPS, the officers explained to Suapusi that he was a person of interest in this case. When Suapusi was given a chance to speak, he stated that he had bought the speaker from Suimai Time for $20.00. He explained that he didn’t know that the speaker was stolen and that he just bought it from TIMA.

The officers showed Suapusi the video footage of the incident, and he immediately identified the individual as Suamai Time. He was asked about the whereabouts of Suamai Time and he stated that he lives near an abandoned house close to Savusa’s residence.

The officers proceeded to locate the suspect but efforts to locate him were unsuccessful.

On Feb. 4th, authorities were informed that Suimai was brought into TPS as he was involved in a burglary that was being investigated by another officer.

The suspect was Mirandized and agreed to make a statement.

According to Time, he admitted to breaking into the victims’ home and stealing items like: jewelry, a Michael Kors purse, watch, DeWalt drill and Skill Saw. The suspect also claimed that he doesn’t remember some of the stuff he stole.

When questioned why he did it, the suspect stated that he was hungry and his wife was ill and didn’t know where to get the money to survive.

The victims also confirmed the stolen items and claimed it sums up to $2,500.00.

The suspect was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility awaiting the next available sitting of the District Court.

The suspect is identified as a 43-year-old citizen of Samoa.