Suspect in altercation stopped while driving without a valid license

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 28, 2025, a woman called the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) to report an alleged altercation between two individuals.

The suspect, Sialaoa Aunei, was later apprehended and charged with:

Count 1: Felony Driving, a class D felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Non-Possession of a Driver's License, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both.

The defendant's bail was set at $2,000.

Court records indicated that on April 28th, at approximately 11:58 a.m., FPS received a phone call from a woman (later identified as the reporter) requesting police assistance. The reporter claimed that a verbal altercation occurred between a woman and the alleged suspect, which led to the suspect driving away from the office parking lot in a rental car.

Police officers responded to the call and met with a woman at the scene. The woman stated that after she argued with the suspect, she saw him get into a rental car and drive away.

Authorities patrolled the area to locate the suspect, and the rental car was observed parked behind the old McDonald's Restaurant building in Fagatogo.

Contact was made with the suspect, who was transported to the FPS for further investigation.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the suspect admitted to driving the rental car but failed to provide a valid driver's license. It was later found that the suspect was driving with a suspended license, from an earlier conviction — for 2 years.

The defendant is identified as a 42-year-old citizen of Samoa.