Woman reports disturbance and damage at her Fagatogo property

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 19, 2026, a woman contacted the local police station to report that two people were allegedly causing a disturbance and damaging her property in Fagatogo. The call resulted in the arrest of two men, later identified as Maselusi Salaga and Xavier Wright. Both were charged with: Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, 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: Resisting Arrest, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both. Wright was charged with an additional charge of: Count 3: Property Damage in Third Degree, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both. Both defendants were held without bail. According to the court affidavit, police received the report at approximately 10:24 p.m. from the owner of the business, who told authorities that two men were outside her closed store yelling loudly, creating a disturbance, and damaging property. Several officers from the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) responded to the call using two police units. As officers approached the business, they immediately observed one of the suspects, later identified as Salaga, standing directly in front of the store holding what appeared to be an open can of beer. Police also noticed shattered pieces of plastic and glass-like material scattered across the ground near the business' outdoor barbecue equipment, which had been damaged. When officers exited their patrol vehicle and attempted to approach Salaga, who allegedly looked towards them and immediately fled on foot instead of complying with police commands. Salaga also mocked officers while running away by sticking out his tongue before sprinting uphill through the area. Officers pursued him on foot while a second responding patrol unit approached from the opposite direction in an effort to block possible escape routes. Officers divided into teams and searched both sides of the property with flashlights. After searching the area for several minutes, officers located Salaga hiding inside the stream bed concealed by thick banana trees. He was taken into custody without further incident, handcuffed, and secured inside a patrol vehicle. While transporting Salaga back toward the police station, officers stopped at the pavilion in Fagatogo after noticing a group of individuals gathered there. Police intended only to disperse the group; however, the situation quickly escalated when one individual refused repeated commands to leave. That individual was later identified as Wright. Wright repeatedly shouted insults at responding officers and refused to cooperate with their lawful orders. Witnesses standing at the pavilion reportedly informed officers that Wright was not originally with their group. Instead, they said he had been outside ABC Fax only moments earlier before joining them, shortly before police arrived. Believing Wright had also participated in the disturbance reported at the business, officers approached him for questioning. Police stated that as officers closed in, Wright appeared ready to flee the area. Anticipating an escape attempt, several officers positioned themselves behind him while others approached from the front, preventing him from running away. During the arrest, Wright allegedly resisted officers by forcefully jerking his arms away while officers attempted to place him in handcuffs. Investigators further alleged that Wright intentionally dropped his full body weight to the ground in an effort to make it more difficult for officers to carry him and place him into the patrol vehicle. Despite his resistance, officers eventually gained control of Wright and secured him in the same patrol unit transporting Salaga. Both defendants were then taken to the FPS for further investigation and booking.Throughout their contact with the suspects, officers observed numerous signs of intoxication. According to police, both defendants emitted a strong odor of alcoholic beverages, had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and continued yelling while being transported to the station. Police said the defendants' behavior became even more aggressive after arriving at the police station. Salaga allegedly continued shouting profanities at officers inside the station while repeatedly banging his head against the lobby door. Officers also reported that he continuously moved his body in an apparent effort to loosen or escape from his handcuffs. Meanwhile, Wright allegedly became increasingly confrontational toward officers. According to investigators, Wright repeatedly challenged officers to fight him and claimed he was capable of beating every officer inside the station. Police also alleged that he threatened officers by saying they would all lose their jobs because of him. In addition, Wright allegedly spat repeatedly on both the floor and the wall inside the police station. Officers instructed him several times to stop, but he allegedly ignored their commands and continued his disruptive behavior. While both defendants remained at the station, another responding officer arrived with surveillance footage recovered from the business. Police said investigators reviewed the video and confirmed the involvement of both defendants in the reported disturbance.The surveillance footage clearly shows Salaga standing outside the business while holding an open can of beer. The footage also allegedly captures Wright repeatedly striking the plastic glass component of the business's outdoor barbecue grill with his head until the component shattered into multiple pieces. The business owner later provided investigators with both verbal and written statements detailing what she witnessed that night. She explained that she had been asleep in her upstairs residence located directly above the business when she was awakened by loud banging, yelling, and other unusual noises coming from outside. After waking up, she checked the live feed from her security camera system. According to her statement, she observed one man wearing a blue shirt standing in front of the store drinking beer while another shirtless man was damaging the outdoor barbecue equipment. She also reported seeing one of the men expose himself toward the direction of the surveillance camera while continuing to behave in a loud and disorderly manner. The business owner told investigators that the men repeatedly demanded beer despite the fact that her store had already closed for the night. She stated that alcohol sales were no longer permitted at that hour, yet the men continued shouting outside her business while banging loudly on the front entrance. Fearing the situation might escalate further, she contacted police for assistance. She also informed investigators that incidents involving intoxicated individuals gathering outside her business have become increasingly common and now occur almost every weekend, creating ongoing concerns for her safety and the security of her property. Police later confirmed that neither defendant ever entered the business because the store had been locked before the disturbance began. Instead, investigators determined that both men remained outside the building where they allegedly pounded on the front door, yelled loudly, disturbed nearby residents and businesses, and damaged property located outside the storefront. Authorities estimated the total damage to the outdoor barbecue equipment at approximately $60, consisting primarily of the shattered plastic glass component that investigators alleged Wright intentionally broke. Both Salaga and Wright were formally booked at the FPS, and the defendants were transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where they were confined pending their initial appearance before the District Court. Both defendants are identified as 24-year-old U.S Nationals. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on June 22, 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
2026-07-06 17:01:33