Alleged assault in Tafuna lands one man in jail

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 35-year old man has been charged after allegedly assaulting a 64-year old man using a wooden stick that left him unconscious on the road.

The incident occurred in Tafuna.

Lee Foluega is facing charges of assault first-degree, public peace disturbance and third-degree assault. He is held behind bars on bail of $20,000.

According to the government’s case, police were contacted for assistance by a woman saying that her husband had been assaulted by a man from their neighborhood.

The woman was inside her house during evening prayer when her husband called out to her from behind the house. “She then went over and saw her husband and the defendant’s younger brother escorting him [the defendant] from their house.”

According to the report, as she got closer and turned on the cellphone torch, she observed her husband's face bleeding. The woman stated it appeared as if he had just re-gained consciousness. She then took her husband home and contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) for assistance.

Officers while approaching the victim, “… could observe blood running down from the victim's nose.”

The Emergency Medical Services were contacted for assistance and he was treated, however the victim refused to go to the hospital for further medical treatment.

The victim told police that for the last two nights straight he observed a vehicle going back and forth in front of his house, without having its lights on.

“He then went to ask the neighbors regarding their vehicle passing in front of his house, slowing down without lights on.

“Victim stated when he got to the front of the house he approached a male individual he did not know and asked why they were driving on the road without turning on the headlamps of the car.”

This upset the male, who was later identified as Foluega, who then swore at the victim.

“The victim stated the suspect reached down and grabbed a 4x6 wooden stick and struck his face where it hit his nose and [he] bled out, losing consciousness.

“… Victim also stated he was on the ground unconscious and [sic] could feel the suspect punching his face.”

The victim further told police that by the time he woke up, one of the suspect's brothers was escorting him home.

“Officers went to locate the suspect at his residence but were unsuccessful.

“According to the suspect's father he did not know what had happened because he was inside his room. He does not know where the suspect went.”

The suspect, Lee Foluega, was later apprehended.