Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On March 30, 2026, at approximately 10:23 p.m., the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call reporting that a man, later identified as Agape Faumuina, was causing a disturbance and making inappropriate advances toward a store employee in Kokoland, leaving the victim shaken but unharmed.

The suspect was charged with the following:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree - a class C misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both such imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Public Peace Disturbance - a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed six months, a fine of more than $500, or both such imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 3: Trespass - a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both such imprisonment and fine.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the affidavit, the incident occurred when a man entered a store after closing hours, refused to leave, and behaved in a manner that made the employee feel unsafe.

Responding officers arrived at the scene around 10:41 p.m. and made contact with the employee outside the store. She appeared visibly nervous as she explained what had happened leading up to the call for help.

The employee reported that earlier in the evening, at about 9:45 p.m., she was preparing to close the store and was counting the register when she noticed a man standing in the parking lot holding a baseball bat. Moments later, she heard a loud banging noise. After checking the store’s surveillance cameras, she observed the man striking a yellow parking bumper with the bat.

As she continued her closing routine and secured the store’s money in a safe, the situation escalated. When she stood up, she saw the same man inside the store, standing directly in front of the counter despite the business being closed.

When she asked if he needed anything, the man allegedly began speaking to her in an inappropriate and unsettling manner. He reportedly made personal comments, asking her to come closer, and attempted to get her to send another individual that was inside the store outside, which increased her fear.

The employee told police that the man repeatedly asked whether the store’s cameras were working and if they recorded footage. Despite her repeated requests for him to leave, he continued making explicit and unwelcome remarks.

Realizing the situation was becoming more serious, the employee contacted the property owner for assistance. Upon noticing that she was making the call, the man left the store.

Officers later reviewed the surveillance footage, which confirmed the employee’s account of the suspect’s actions both outside and inside the store.

Police conducted a search of the surrounding area and were able to locate the suspect’s residence with assistance from individuals nearby. Officers made contact at the home, where a family member confirmed that the suspect had just returned.

The suspect was called outside by officers and taken into custody without incident. Officers reported detecting a strong odor of alcohol coming from him at the time of arrest.

He was transported to the TPS, where officers attempted to conduct an interview after advising him of his rights. However, the suspect was reportedly uncooperative, repeatedly shouting that he had done nothing wrong and refusing to answer questions or provide a statement.

Officers noted that he appeared to be heavily intoxicated.

The suspect was later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF), where he was confined to await the next sitting of the District Court.

The incident has raised ongoing concerns about the safety of employees working late-night shifts, particularly those closing businesses alone.

The defendant is identified as a 34-year-old US National.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on March 31, 2026.

[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.]