Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 4, 2026, a business owner contacted the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) regarding an intoxicated man who was allegedly causing a disturbance and threatened him with a machete.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, it was shortly before midnight, when the owner of Auto Mart contacted the FPS requesting immediate assistance. The caller (later identified as victim) reported that a man, later identified as Alesana Utuone, was outside the entrance of his business aggressively striking the front door while carrying a machete.

The store owner told dispatchers he feared the situation could quickly escalate because the man appeared intoxicated and refused to leave the premises.

Police officers were immediately dispatched to investigate the complaint. Upon arriving at the store just before midnight, officers found that the suspect had already left the front entrance. The officers knocked on the store's front door, where they were met by three men who walked from the rear of the building.

One of the men informed police that he had witnessed the entire incident. Moments later, the store owner emerged from inside the business and identified himself as the person who had called for help.

During an interview with officers at the scene, the victim explained that his business had closed for the evening at approximately 10 p.m. He had completed his nightly routine and was preparing to sleep inside the building when he was startled by loud yelling and repeated banging coming from outside.

Curious and concerned, he walked toward the front entrance to determine what was happening. Looking outside, he observed a man standing near the entrance calling out loudly while demanding a pack of cigarettes.

The owner told the man that the business was already closed for the night and that no sales could be made until the following day. Instead of leaving, however, the suspect allegedly continued shouting and repeatedly demanded cigarettes.The victim further stated that he warned the individual that he would contact police if he refused to leave the property.

Rather than complying, the suspect allegedly continued pacing in front of the store while holding a machete in one hand and yelling toward the business.

Court documents state that the owner observed the suspect walking back and forth outside the entrance while continuing to demand cigarettes. Concerned that the confrontation could turn violent, the owner chose not to engage further. Instead, he retreated inside the store, secured himself inside the building, and immediately called police for assistance.

The victim also informed responding officers that this was not an isolated incident. He stated that the same individual had previously behaved in a threatening manner toward him, making him increasingly concerned for his personal safety and the security of his business.

Police said the store owner later provided a written statement documenting the events.

Investigators also interviewed a nearby resident who witnessed the confrontation unfold. The witness told officers that he lives behind the Auto Mart store and had stepped outside his residence to get some fresh air before going to bed.

While outside, he noticed a shirtless man wearing a red lavalava walking toward the business carrying a machete. According to the witness, the man began loudly calling the store owner's name while repeatedly asking for cigarettes.

The witness said the suspect continued yelling outside the closed business, prompting him to approach in an effort to calm the situation before it escalated.

He told police that he spoke with the man and encouraged him to go home because it was already late at night and many nearby residents were asleep. Despite those efforts, the suspect allegedly continued demanding cigarettes from the store owner.

Eventually, the witness said, the suspect turned around and began walking east away from the business. By that time, the store owner had already contacted police and officers were en route to the scene.

While the witness was describing the suspect and pointing out the direction in which he had walked, responding officers observed a shirtless man matching the description only a short distance from the business. Police immediately drove toward the individual and made contact with him.

Officers reported observing the man holding a can of beer in his hand. After informing him that officers were investigating the disturbance reported by the Auto Mart owner, the suspect was taken into custody without incident and escorted to a marked police unit.

The suspect was transported to the FPS for processing. During the drive, officers reported detecting a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath. Police also stated that throughout the transport, the man repeatedly insisted that he simply wanted to purchase a pack of cigarettes from the store.

Following his arrest, the defendant was booked at the FPS before being transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he remained confined pending his initial appearance before the District Court.

The defendant is identified as a 43 year-old U.S National.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 06, 2026.

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

[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.]