Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 29, 2026, a woman contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report a family member who was allegedly causing a disturbance at his family residence, while intoxicated.

The defendant was arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Property Damage in the Third Degree (DV), a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed six months, a fine of not more than $500 but not less than $150, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed six months, a fine of not more than $500 but not less than $150, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, police officers from the TPS responded to the reported disturbance in Pavaia’i, and officers met with the reporting party, who informed them that the suspect had just left the residence before police arrived.

The defendant was later identified as Tevita Finau.

Police officers interviewed the reporter while other officers canvassed the surrounding area in an attempt to locate Finau.

According to the reporter’s statement, the incident began earlier that afternoon when Finau allegedly arrived at the residence intoxicated and began causing a disturbance.

Family members told investigators that Finau was throwing items around the house and shouting profanities loud enough to alarm neighbors living nearby.

The reporter stated that family members did not understand why Finau became upset, but said his behavior escalated throughout the afternoon. Police were initially contacted at approximately 2:00 p.m., but no officers arrived before the suspect left the residence.

Court records indicate that Finau returned and allegedly resumed causing disturbances inside and outside the property.

Family members claimed that during the second confrontation, Finau threw a steel digging tool, identified in Samoan as an “oso,” through the living room window of the residence. Investigators stated the tool damaged several window louvers and tore through the screen wire attached to the window. According to witness statements, the object narrowly missed striking the reporter, who was inside the living room at the time.

Police also interviewed a witness who reportedly observed the incident unfold.

According to the court affidavit, the witness told officers that Finau had been causing disturbances frequently in recent months and that his behavior regularly disturbed neighbors in the area.

The witness further stated that she had just exited the residence carrying an infant when Finau allegedly threw the digging tool through the window. She reportedly told investigators that if the reporter had not reacted quickly, she could have been injured by the object.

Authorities said the witness also reported that Finau stood near neighboring homes shouting profanities while continuing to cause a disturbance outside the residence.

After obtaining statements from the parties involved, investigators photographed the damaged window and collected evidence related to the incident, including the digging tool allegedly used during the disturbance.

While officers at the residence conducted interviews, other responding officers canvassed nearby areas searching for Finau. The officers later received information that the suspect had been seen running toward the area behind Haleck Motors.

Police responding to the area reportedly located Finau hiding at a nearby residence behind Haleck Motors at approximately 4:54 p.m. Officers took him into custody without incident and transported him to the TPS for questioning.

At the station, investigators advised Finau of his constitutional rights. Court records state that he acknowledged understanding his rights and agreed to provide a statement regarding the incident.

According to Finau, he admitted consuming two cans of alcoholic beverages after completing work at a neighbor’s residence earlier that day. He reportedly told police that he became angry after noticing the yard at the family residence had not been fully mowed. Finau claimed he was frustrated because he regularly maintained the lawn while his brother did not. He also admitted becoming upset and causing a disturbance at the residence.

However, Finau denied throwing the digging tool through the window. Instead, he told investigators that he punched through the window with his fist, causing the hole in the screen wire and damaging the window louvers.

Following the interview, officers documented Finau’s fingerprints before booking him into the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he remained pending his appearance before the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 24-year-old U.S National.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on April 30, 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.]