Man challenges police to a car chase, police don’t take the bait

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 14, 2025, police officers conducted a traffic stop that led to a car chase that was suspended for the safety of the community.

The defendant has beencharged with:

Count 1: Fleeing from or Attempting to Elude Police, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500.00, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Reckless Driving, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500.00, or both.

The defendant is to be held without bail.

According to the affidavit filed in the District Court on , Nov. 17, 2025, traffic officers were patrolling westbound on Iliili Road on Nov. 14th. Upon approaching the speed bump in front of the Seventh Adventist School, they observed a red pickup truck in the eastbound lane obstructing traffic.

The officers activated the sirens and initiated a stop. The officers instructed the driver to pull over in front of Luisa's Laundromat; but, the truck proceeded straight and stopped on the right side of the road. The officers instructed the subject to pull his vehicle over, however, the driver refused and continued driving eastbound.

The officers immediately dispatched an additional unit for assistance. The driver continued driving and refused to pull over. The truck then suddenly made a right turn in front of the carwash across from Cost-U-Less.

The officers exited the unit and approached the driver. The driver was instructed from a distance to turn off his truck engine, in turn, the driver rapidly accelerated back onto the road.

At that point, the driver called out to the authorities, challenging them to a high-speed chase while driving away at a high rate of speed. The officers also witnessed the suspect's truck nearly collide with other motorists exiting from the Tradewinds intersection.

The police officers decided not to pursue the vehicle, as it was unsafe due to the possible extreme high speeds causing endangerment in nearby residential areas.

The driver was later identified as Rodney “Papa” Michaels from the village of Vaitogi by police, who knew him from previous cases he has been involved in.

It is unknown at this time, if Mr. Michaels has since been detained.

[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]