Driver arrested after vehicle spotted with fraudulent license plates

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 21, 2023, a man was arrested during a traffic stop and charged with one count of Fraudulent Vehicle License Plate, a class D felony, punishable by imprisonment for up to five (5) years, a fine of $5,000.00, or both. The defendant’s bail was set at $3,000.00.

According to the affidavit, on November 21, 2023, an officer patrolling in the Satala area spotted a vehicle with no valid tags approaching from the east bound lane; and, officers noticed when the vehicle passed them that the front and rear license plates did not have the same plate number. 

As a result, the police officers stopped the vehicle and “dispatched to the police headquarters for information of different license plates”.

During the traffic stop, it was confirmed that the front and back license plates of the vehicle did not match the vehicle’s description. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Mike Uele.

When asked by officers for a driver’s license it was revealed that Mr. Uele’s license had expired.

The defendant was then apprehended and transported to the Fagatogo Police Station for further investigation and booking process. At the police station, Mr. Uele admitted that he “changed the license plate of the vehicle just to drive on the road”.

He also stated that he bought the vehicle from a friend and “had only the front plate that came with the car but no license plate to the rear.”

Mr. Uele was detained and transported to the Tafuna Correctional facility to await the next sitting of the district court, according to the affidavit.

The defendant is identified as citizen of Samoa.