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Man accused of assaulting female neighbor while she was holding her baby

American Samoa District Court building
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man from Nu’uuli was arrested last month accused of attempting to assault a woman who is his neighbor — while she was holding her 1-year-old son.

When Tomasi Alataua made his initial appearance in District Court, the court granted a motion to release him on his own recognizance to await his next court appearance.

According to the government’s case, it was on July 17th, around 6:47 p.m when the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call regarding a peace disturbance (PPD) in Nu’uuli.

Cops responded to the call and upon arrival at the scene they found a male sitting in front of his house. The man was later identified as, Tomasi Alataua, the defendant.

As investigators started to speak to the defendant, a woman walked out of the house and told police that she was the one who reported the incident.

According to the woman, who lives next to Alataua’s house, the confrontation started when Alataua stole power tools and two pairs of boots from their home. She said she spoke to him about how disrespectful his actions were, and that's when Alataua allegedly threw an un-opened beer can at her, while she was holding her son.

She said luckily, she ducked and it missed her and the baby.

The victim also told police that Alataua cussed at her and yelled profanities, and he was heavily intoxicated.

She claims that Alataua tried to punch her but she ran into her house and locked the door. She told police she was afraid and concerned for the safety of her son because she knows Alataua is on drugs and if they don’t take him, he will come later and beat her or someone at their home because he knows she called the police on him.

The defendant was sober when one of the police officers approached him; but for the safety of the woman and the baby, the decision was made to arrest the defendant and detain him at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) to await his appearance in District Court.