Two allegedly drunk men arrested for PPD

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 3, 2025, a concerned customer called the Leone Police Substation (LPS) to report two men allegedly causing a disturbance at the Foma’i Plaza.

The two men were apprehended and later charged with Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both imprisonment and fine.

There was no set bail for both defendants.

According to the court affidavit, on June 3rd, around 11:05 a.m, a man (the reporter) called the LPS and reported two men in front of the Foma’i Plaza causing a disturbance and yelling at them.

An investigation of the incident revealed that the reporter was a customer at the Foma’i Plaza and she had left when the officers arrived in response to the call.

Upon arrival, the officers saw one of the men cleaning up. The officer approached the man who introduced himself as Siaosi Hefa (later identified as suspect #2). Upon contact the officers detected a strong smell of alcoholic beverages emitting from Hefa. The officers asked him if he had consumed any alcoholic beverages and he admitted he drank five cans of beer.

Another police unit arrived at the scene and apprehended an older man later identified as Taumohaapai Lakai (suspect #1), who appeared highly intoxicated.

Lakai was rowdy and refused to comply when he was placed inside the police unit. He also yelled profanities at the police officers. The officers also seized two bags at the scene belonging to the suspects.

Authorities met with a victim who stated that Lakai had been drinking since the day before and disturbed her and her customers. Both suspects were yelling at them and were being rowdy.

Moreover, a witness was also interviewed and she told the officers that she works there and that she saw the two men causing a disturbance and were bothering customers who came into the store.

Upon arrival at the station, both suspects were taken to LPS, where they were booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The investigation later revealed that Siaosi Hefa is employed at the Foma’i Plaza.

Taumohaapai Lakai is identified as 57 years old and Siaosi Hefa as 33 years old. Both defendants are citizens of Tonga.