Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On February 26, 2025, police officers were conducting inspection for commercial vehicles in Pago Pago when a driver refused to stop and allegedly fled the site.

The suspect was apprehended and taken to the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) where he was confined and later charged with:

Count 1: Fleeing From or Attempting to Elude Police Officers, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Non-Possession of a Driver’s License, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 3: Unlawful Operation of a Commercial Vehicle, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant’s bail was set at $300.

According to the court affidavit, on Feb. 26th, at around 9:20 a.m., police officers stationed in Pago Pago for commercial vehicle inspection observed a flatbed vehicle heading westbound. The officers tried to stop the driver (later identified as the suspect) by giving hand signals. However, the suspect nodded his head and said that he was going to turn around from a gas station but never returned to the stationary checkpoint.

Police officers then proceeded to try and locate the suspect (later identified as Lotonu’u Seagai) in the back of the gas station but he was nowhere to be found. After multiple attempts in trying to locate the suspect around the area the efforts were unsuccessful.

However, while patrolling back to Fagatogo, the officers observed the mentioned vehicle in the back of the District Court. Authorities approached the suspect’s vehicle but he was inside the District Court where he was apprehended and taken to the FPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the FPS, the suspect was Mirandized to which he understood and was willing to make a statement.

According to the suspect, he went to pay his tickets at the District Court and would have then returned back to the checkpoint.

The suspect was asked about his driver’s license and commercial permit but he stated that he does not have it in his possession.

However, he later admitted that he was trying to flee from the officers because he doesn’t have a commercial permit.

Police officers allege that this is not the first time that the suspect has not stopped when he was waved down for commercial inspection.

The suspect was later booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to be confined to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 38-year-old citizen of Samoa.