INMATE ESCAPE STILL BEING INVESTIGATED

Police Commissioner Save Liuato Tuitele has confirmed that a police investigation is on going as a result of an Asian inmate, Tao Liu, who allegedly escaped from the Territorial Correctional Facility two weekends ago.

Save also told Samoa News last week that there is a lot more information and evidence that police are not aware of and are trying to find out, but declined to give details because of the ongoing probe, saying only that the investigation continues.

Liu, who was being held behind bars on a no bail status on 11 criminal charges, which included drugs and an unlicensed firearm escaped from jail early morning of Oct. 2nd, and was recaptured around 5:30p.m the next day on Oct. 3rd.

A reliable source told Samoa News that there is no evidence inside and around the cell where Liu was held that shows that force was used to break out of jail, such as breaking a door or a window to gain access to get out.

The source, which spoke only on condition of anonymity, also said that the only way for anyone to leave a cell or the building where cells are housed is through the door, which — again — showed no sign of damage. And the only way to open the door without being damaged is the use of a key.

Samoa News understands that one of the main focuses of the police investigation is to find out if anyone inside assisted Liu in his alleged escape.

SEVEN PEOPLE DETAINED OVER THE WHITE SUNDAY WEEKEND

Police over the White Sunday and Columbus Day three-day weekend in connection with alcohol and public peace disturbance detained only seven people.

Court information shows that some of the detained individuals were taken into custody last Friday evening (Oct. 7) and remained as guests of the Territorial Correctional Facility until their initial appearances on Tuesday morning (Oct. 11) in District Court.

Of the total number of detained individuals, five of them were taken into custody and charged with misdemeanor public peace disturbance.

The other two were each charged with one count each of third degree assault and public peace disturbance — both misdemeanors. One of the two is accused of assaulting his wife and the other, a fisherman, was accused of assaulting another fisherman.

Court information shows that police were contacted last Saturday after witnesses saw the fishermen fighting next to a bar in Satala. Based on interviews with witnesses as well as the victim, police arrested Van Tulim. The fight occurred when an argument erupted between the two men while drinking beer.

Tulim was released without bond and he appears again in two weeks time.

For the case of the man who allegedly assaulted his wife, court information shows that it started with an argument between the couple last Friday. The wife told police that her husband allegedly punched her in the face, pulled her and pushed her down, while she was trying to feed their children at the dining table.

Most of the individuals arrested over the weekend were released without having to post bail. They were all given the usual conditions of release, such as remaining a law-abiding citizen and prohibited from consuming alcohol while their cases remain in court.

(Original Samoan stories published in yesterday’s Lali section of Samoa News.)