Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A late-night property damage incident in Sogi resulted in a police investigation after a resident reported to the Leone Police Substation (LPS) that an older woman had allegedly shattered the windshield of an ‘aiga’ bus parked outside his apartment during the early morning hours.

Sasa Peni was later charged with Count 1: Property Damage in the Third Degree, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both imprisonment and fine.

She was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, filed in District Court on Jan. 20th, officers responding to the call, arrived at the scene in Sogi and observed an aiga bus parked in front of the victim’s apartment with a large crack across its windshield. Authorities described the damage as significant and consistent with being struck by a hard object.

The reporting party told officers that he and others inside the residence had been asleep when they were awakened by a loud banging sound. He stated that the noise prompted them to get up and check outside, where they discovered the damaged bus.

The man expressed concern to officers, stating that he was relieved the suspect did not attempt to enter the residence while they were asleep. He further noted that the front door of the apartment had been left open at the time of the incident.

According to the reporting party, the suspect lives a short distance behind their apartment in a separate residence. He described the matter as part of an ongoing dispute between the households.

The man further alleged that on a previous occasion, the same woman approached them with a machete and threatened them. He stated that a police report had already been filed regarding that earlier incident.

The bus owner, identified as the reporting party’s son, told police that he had been asleep during the incident and was awakened only after officers arrived. He informed authorities that he was unsure of the monetary value of the damaged windshield.

While processing the scene, officers recovered a long stick believed to have been used to strike the bus windshield. The object was collected as evidence and transported back to the LPS. Photographs of the damaged windshield were taken at the scene to document the extent of the damage.

Police proceeded to the residence identified by the reporting party as belonging to the suspect. Officers located the woman at a nearby wooden structure where she resides alone. She was approached and questioned regarding the incident.

According to investigators, the woman admitted to throwing objects toward the neighboring property. She stated that prior to the incident, she had been using an outdoor shower when individuals from the neighboring residence allegedly shined flashlights toward her while she was bathing. She claimed that four men were in her backyard directing lights at her, which she described as harassment.

The woman told officers she became upset and yelled at the individuals, warning them that she would throw rocks and break their windows. She admitted that she threw a rock toward the residence before throwing a long stick in the direction of the parked bus. Authorities believe the stick was the object that caused the damage to the windshield.

The defendant is identified as Sasa Peni, a 68 year-old U.S national.

[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. Under local law, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the court. ra]