Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On December 20, 2024, a female individual called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported that an individual known as Fatuleai Nglam allegedly stole 5 coin trays from their laundromat.

The suspect fled the scene but he was later charged with:

Count 1: Stealing, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than seven years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or an amount equal to twice the amount of gain from the commission of the crime up to a maximum of $20,000, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than seven years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant’s bail was set at $10,000.

According to the court affidavit, on Dec. 20th, at about 9:22 p.m., a female reported an alleged burglary that occurred at a laundromat in Iliili.

Police officers responded and upon arrival at the laundromat, they were met up with the reporter who briefly explained what had happened.

The reporter stated that as they were preparing to close and have their final inspection for the day, she noticed that the coin trays of five of her drying machines were missing.

Furthermore, the reporter confirmed that from viewing the camera footage, the coin trays were stolen by an unknown male. Given that their weekly inspection of the drying machines totals up to $200 plus for each machine, she estimated the amount of the money taken at about $1,000 plus.

The officers got a hold of the video footage and were able to identify the male. The this was also confirmed by several other officers to be Fatuleai Nglam (suspect) as he has been brought into TPS several times.

The affidavit also stated that per the video footage, at 2:15 p.m. the suspect entered the laundromat and appeared to be acting as if he came to dry his laundry. While acting the part, the suspect took the coin tray out of five machines using a key that he had and stuffed it in a bag that he brought. The suspect entered, cleared the five coin trays and then left in exactly 4 minutes — leaving at 2:19 p.m.

The officers tried several times to locate the suspect but were unsuccessful.

The defendant is identified as a 33-year-old U.S National.