Escape artist back into custody at TCF

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Corrections has confirmed that inmate Tauaiga Taele, who escaped at the Fagatogo wharf last week was apprehended by police officers Sunday night in Malaeloa.

Taele was one of two prisoners ordered by the court to depart the territory on the Lady Samoa last week Thursday but he escaped from custody. And this was not Taele’s first escape.

According to Samoa News archives, on September 27, 2023 at 11:20 AM Chief of Police Pouu’amea Tuaolo Supapo and Director of the Tafuna Correctional Facility met up and gathered information regarding the escape of Tauagiga Taele from confinement at the District Court. 

Department of Public Safety Officers then made their way to the District Court, where they met up with the court marshals and were briefed on how Taele escaped.

The Court Marshal on duty showed officers the camera footage of the escapee, who made his escape through the emergency exit next to the District Courtroom and fled from there, behind both courthouses towards the market area. 

According to the Court Marshall, Taele was allowed to use the bathroom and that was the reason only one of his wrists was cuffed. He then exited the bathroom, and left through the side emergency door. 

He was later apprehended and returned to custody.