Alleged domestic violence reported to Fagatogo Police Station

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On December 22, 2024, a concerned neighbor contacted the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report an alleged domestic violence incident.

The suspect was apprehended and later 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; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $300.

According to the court affidavit, on Dec. 22nd, at about 12:09 a.m., traffic officers were patrolling and upon approaching Fagaalu, heading west when the FPS dispatcher relayed information of a call from a male individual requesting assistance regarding his brother who was intoxicated and disturbing the peace.

Police officers proceeded to the call and upon arrival, they met up with the reporter who stated that he overheard Ropeti Ropeti (suspect) arguing and making loud unusual noises from the bedroom. He went to see what was going on and saw the suspect throwing objects and clothes around the bedroom.

The suspect was arguing with his girlfriend so the reporter contacted the police before the situation escalated and got physical.

After the officers spoke with the reporter, they inquired of the suspect’s whereabouts. The reporter pointed out that the suspect was inside his bedroom. The officers then approached the suspect while he was yelling at his girlfriend saying, “I wasted my love on you, wasted my time and everything I’ve done for you!”  At the same time, the suspect was tossing clothes around and scattering whatever object that was in the room.

The officers managed to apprehend the suspect and escorted him out of the bedroom where he was transported to the FPS for further investigation.

The officers met with the victim standing outside looking distressed, she verbally briefed the officers about the incident and provided a written statement as well.

According to the victim, her boyfriend was upset when she asked him “what he was doing inside her best friend’s bedroom.”

She continued that the argument escalated and the suspect got agitated and started making loud noises and throwing things around. The victim explained that the suspect aggressively pushed her and struck her neck causing pain in her neck area.

The victim was asked if she needed medical assistance and she refused.

The victim also stated that the suspect continued to throw things around and also grabbed an electric fan and threw it at the wall because he was mad.

The suspect was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility awaiting the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 22-year-old citizen of Samoa.