Escaped prisoner still on the run — since Father’s Day

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Corrections is looking for an escaped prisoner, Deion White, serving time for a robbery back in 2021. He has been on the run since Father’s Day, as confirmed by the Director of the Corrections Department, Palaita Tusipasi Suiaunoa, in an interview with KVKZ TV. He said the man escaped recently and remains at large. Correction Officers told KVKZ TV that the inmate climbed the fence and took off on foot. 

According to Samoa News records, the defendant was first charged in 2021 with robbery and assault in relation to a robbery in Nu’uuli. Court filings of the case at that time indicated that the defendant walked into the sewing shop, and the victim was alone. 

The defendant was carrying a wooden stick and began to play around, imitating the sound of a gun while pointing the stick at the victim. The victim asked the defendant to leave as he was busy, but the defendant refused. While the victim continued to sew, the defendant struck him with the wooden stick on his right arm and the back of his neck, rendering him unconscious. The victim also reported to the officers that the defendant stole his wallet, which contained an unknown amount of cash and his cell phone.

After interviewing the victim, some officers left the scene to search for the suspect, while others remained with the victim. A few minutes later, four police officers apprehended the defendant and brought him back to the scene for identification.

The victim confirmed that White was the person who allegedly assaulted him in the sewing shop and stole his wallet and cell phone.

Officers observed bruising on the victim's neck, and he exhibited signs of pain throughout his body. EMS was contacted for assistance and arrived shortly afterward. The victim was taken to the hospital for medical evaluation.