Man allegedly takes machete to a car and house

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 17, 2025, the Tafuna Police Substation received a call regarding a man who was allegedly causing a disturbance and damaging his sister-in-law's car and house.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Property Damage in Second Degree (DV) With a Penalty Enhancement, a class A misdemeanor, but with a penalty enhancement to one class above the class otherwise provided, a class D felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not less than 90 days and not to exceed five years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, filed in the District Court on Nov. 18, 2025, a man (the reporter), on Nov. 17th, contacted the TPS regarding a man who was later identified as Fa'atau Kome/ suspect was allegedly causing a disturbance in front of his residence and walking around with a machete.

Police officers responded to the call and, upon arrival, met with the reporter, who pointed out the suspect's residence. The reporter explained that he was doing his chores when he suddenly heard someone shouting profanities in Samoan and walking around with a machete.

The officers located the suspect, who was walking from his house. While at the suspect's house, the officers met with an individual (later identified as the witness) who informed them that the suspect threw rocks at his sister-in-law's car and her house. The suspect was also yelling out profanities.

The suspect was immediately apprehended and transported to TPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the station, the suspect was Mirandized, to which he understood and agreed to provide a statement.

The suspect admitted that he damaged his sister-in-law's car and threw rocks at her house because he was mad at his little brother.

He was later booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility for confinement to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 20-year-old U.S national.

[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. Under local law, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the court. ra]