Woman looking after family property reports alleged break-in

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 18, 2026, a woman called the Leone Police Substation (LPS) and reported a break-in at a residence in the village of Leone. The suspect was later arrested and charged with: Count 1: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Property Damage in the Third Degree, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both. The defendant was held without bail. According to court documents, officers from the LPS received a call for assistance at approximately 8:54 a.m. from a woman reporting that unknown individuals were inside her family’s residence in Leone. Police records stated that officers immediately responded to the scene and arrived at the property within minutes. Upon arrival, officers reportedly observed a woman outside the residence waving them down. The woman quickly informed officers that she believed someone was inside the family home and guided police into the residence to investigate. The woman led the officers directly to a bedroom after hearing noises coming from inside the house. As officers entered the room, they reportedly found two men lying asleep on the floor. Investigators stated that officers woke up both men and began questioning them regarding ownership of the property. One of the individuals allegedly identified the second man as the homeowner, pointing toward him while speaking with police. However, when officers questioned the second man further, they quickly determined that neither individual had permission to be inside the residence. The court affidavit also stated that the second man appeared shocked and startled when awakened by police officers standing over him inside the room. As officers secured the scene, police also documented visible damage to one of the home’s windows, which investigators believe had been used as the entry point into the house. Authorities photographed the damaged area as evidence during the investigation. The woman who contacted police later explained that she had received a phone call earlier that morning from her aunt informing her that someone appeared to be inside the family home. Concerned by the information, she immediately drove to the property to check on the residence herself. According to her statement, when she arrived at the home, she discovered the front door wide open. After cautiously entering the residence, she heard loud snoring noises coming from one of the bedrooms, causing her to fear that unknown individuals were inside the home. Rather than confront the intruders herself, she immediately contacted police for assistance. Investigators learned that the residence belonged to the woman’s parents and was currently undergoing renovations. Court records indicate that while repairs were being completed, the homeowners were temporarily staying with relatives nearby in the same village. The witness also informed officers that this was not the first time the residence had been targeted. She explained that the family had previously experienced repeated incidents involving trespassers damaging walls and windows while unlawfully entering the unoccupied property. Police further noted that the home displayed a visible “Do Not Trespass” sign mounted by the homeowner, making it clear that unauthorized entry onto the property was prohibited. Both men were transported to the police station for further questioning as investigators attempted to determine how they entered the residence and whether either individual had lawful permission to be there. During questioning, one of the men reportedly told investigators that he was unaware the home belonged to another family. According to his statement, he had only recently met the defendant after getting off work the previous evening. The man allegedly told police that the defendant approached him and invited him to go swimming to relax after work. After spending time near the water and socializing with other individuals in the area, the defendant reportedly invited him to stay overnight at what he believed was the defendant’s home near the water in Leone. The man insisted he did not know the residence had been unlawfully entered and claimed he believed the property belonged to the defendant or his family. Investigators later released him after concluding he was apparently unaware of the alleged break-in. The defendant, however, allegedly provided a much different account during questioning. The defendant waived his constitutional rights and agreed to provide both verbal and written statements to investigators regarding his involvement in the matter. Police say the defendant admitted that after spending time swimming near the area known as “Puna Loa” and socializing with local high school students, he later went to the residence with the second man. The defendant allegedly confessed that they entered the home through a window before going inside to sleep for the night. The defendant admitted the second man did not know the home belonged to another family and had no knowledge that they were unlawfully inside the residence. Perhaps most concerning to authorities, the defendant admitted this was not an isolated incident. He also confessed that he had entered the same residence on previous occasions whenever the homeowners were away at work. He also mentioned that he usually used the bathroom window to gain entry into the home during those prior incidents. Following the investigation, authorities booked the defendant and transported him to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he remained confined pending his appearance before the District Court. The case is now before the court for further proceedings as investigators continue examining the repeated unlawful entries reported at the Leone residence. The defendant is identified as a 20-year-old citizen of Samoa. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on April 20, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [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.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-05-11 17:35:09