Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 4, 2025, a concerned mother called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported her son-in-law, who was allegedly disturbing the peace at their home in Iliili.

The suspect fled the scene but was later apprehended and charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (Class C Misd.) (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both

The defendant's bail was set at $1,000.

According to the court affidavit, on Sept 4th, at approximately 12:53 p.m., a victim reported that a man, later identified as Epeil Vehitike (suspect), her son-in-law, was allegedly causing a disturbance, including yelling profanities in the presence of the children.

Police officers were dispatched to the scene, and upon arrival, they met with the victim, who stated that her nephew had come to their residence the previous day, seeking a place to stay, and she allowed him to stay. The victim explained that she and her daughter left to visit her other son-in-law in the ICU at the LBJ Hospital.

However, when they returned, her daughter informed her that the suspect had nearly assaulted her nephew, yelled profanities at him and chased him (nephew) out of the house.

Furthermore, the victim reported that she confronted the suspect about his actions, and he became verbally abusive and yelled profanities. The suspect also threw a metal stick in their direction, which almost hit her 11-month-old grandson.

As a result, she chased the suspect off their property, but he continued to yell profanities. Fearing for the safety of the children and her family, she called the police for assistance.

Authorities interviewed the victim's daughter, who corroborated her mother's account, including that it was her infant child who was nearly hit by the metal stick. The victim's daughter also expressed fear for both the children and her family.

Following the interviews, the officers canvassed the area toward the Golf Course, where they located the suspect in front of a store being held down by one of the victim's family members.

The suspect was apprehended and transported to the TPS, where he was Mirandized and refused to provide a statement.

He was later booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

Epeii Vehitike is identified as a 31-year-old U.S national.