Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On December 20, 2024, a man called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report a male individual who was allegedly trespassing and stealing items from his residence.

The suspect fled the scene but was later apprehended and charged with:

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

Count 2: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $2,000.

According to the court affidavit, on Dec. 20th, at about 2:37 p.m., a male individual (later identified as reporter/ victim) contacted the TPS regarding Maleifua Leao who allegedly broke into his house and tried to steal a bag that contained canned foods, a pair of shoes, 3 fine mates and a blower.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene, they met up with the victim who briefly explained what had happened.

The house where the victim lives is a red, one- story building, with 3 rooms and one bathroom. The victim walked the officers through the house and showed them what the suspect attempted to steal. The victim also showed the officers the Leao’s point of entry and exit. The authorities then proceeded to take photos of the scene.

It was later revealed that the suspect lived across the road behind the store. After interviewing the victim, the officers proceeded to locate the suspect but efforts to locate him at his house were unsuccessful.

The victim gave a written statement and he stated that he went to check on the house and noticed the windows and screen wires were open. He also stated that the front door was open as well. There was also a juice bottle on the table that was a bit cold. He then told his wife he’ll drop her off home with the kids and be back with stuff to fix the window.

He stated when he returned, he noticed the windows were open again and he saw a person in the house. As he was walking towards the house, he saw the suspect running to the back door with his bag, and when he confronted the suspect, Leao took off running. He then brought out his phone and was only able to take one photo of the suspect.

On Dec. 21st, a male individual contacted the TPS that the suspect was observed in Faleniu inside a “Greenhouse”. The officers proceeded to the call and apprehended the suspect where he was placed inside the police unit and transported to the TPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the station, the suspect was Mirandized and agreed to make a statement.

According to the suspect, the reason why he was there was because he was waiting for a friend. The officers asked who his friend was but he never revealed a name. The suspect also kept changing the subject when he was asked why he was seen inside the victim’s house.

The officers also asked him why he ran and he said “he didn’t know why and he was scared.

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