Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On March 4, 2025, a concerned father called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) requesting assistance regarding his son who was allegedly causing a disturbance and damaging their home.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Property Damage in the Third Degree (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both; and,

Count 2: Resisting Arrest, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

There was no set bail for the defendant.

According to the court affidavit, on Mar. 4th, at about 3: 08 p.m., a man contacted the TPS requesting assistance at his house. The victim alleged that his son was damaging stuff in his house and also disturbing the peace by yelling profanities.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene, they met up with the victim who reported that his son was causing a disturbance inside the house.

Upon entering the residence, the officers observed shattered plates and a broken door latch with a lock. The suspect then stepped out of the restroom, and he walked towards the front door, grabbed his slippers and fled.

The officers gave chase as the suspect fled behind several of his neighbors houses, through tall grass and banana tree patches as well. They chased him towards a commercial laundromat, and then he ran back to his residence.

The officers tried to calm the suspect down but he fled again towards the laundromat and made his way back to his house again where he was eventually apprehended.

During apprehension, the suspect made his arms stiff to where the officers had a hard time handcuffing him. He was eventually placed inside the police unit and transported to the TPS.

During the victim’s interview, it was revealed that the suspect wanted to go to Amanave to get his stuff. His father said that they would go get it after they came back from the port. However, when they came back, the father told him there wasn’t enough time and he had to get ready for work. He told his son that tomorrow was another day. The son became angry and started destroying the house and breaking stuff.

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

The defendant is identified as a 29-year-old U.S citizen.