Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 3, 2024, a female individual later identified as the victim contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report an alleged burglary in her home while she was sleeping.

The defendant was apprehended and later charged with:

Count 1: Burglary in the First Degree, a class B felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than five years and not more than fifteen years; and,

Count 2: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both.

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

According to the affidavit, on September 3rd, at about 2:00 a.m, TPS received a call from a female individual regarding a male individual who unlawfully entered her residence with a rock.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene, authorities observed the male proceeding with a rock towards the victim’s house. Police officers pursued the suspect on foot and successfully apprehended him.

The officers interviewed the victim and she stated that she was sleeping was and surprised when the male defendant, later identified as Ancaz Leapai, entered her residence with a rock and started yelling profanities in Samoan, inside her home.

Leapai was Mirandized at TPS and refused to provide a statement.

During the booking process, officers detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from the defendant’s breath.

He 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 30-year-old citizen of Samoa.