Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 10, 2023 at 7:05 AM, a woman contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report that her boyfriend, Reuben Seilala, was threatening to kill her and burn their house down in Faleniu.

Officers arrived at the residence of the call, early morning, and were briefed by the wife — according to her, she was sleeping and around 4 AM, Seilala came home and woke her up and tried to start an argument with her.

He then allegedly told the victim that he’s “going to kill her and burn down the house,” after which the woman ran to her aunt’s house to call the cops.

Seilala followed her to her aunt’s house and demanded a cigarette, and the victim told him that her aunt doesn’t have any, but Seilala yelled and claimed he was going “to kill her and then himself, and that he doesn’t care that she was calling the cops because he would be killing the first cop that he sees.”

After interviewing the victim, officers proceeded to canvass the area and locate the suspect, but were unsuccessful as he had fled the scene when DPS arrived. Officers then advised the victim to contact TPS if Seilala was seen in the area.

At 12:12 PM the same day, the victim contacted TPS to report that the Seilala had returned to their residence, and when officers arrived, they surrounded the house before knocking on the side door.

While waiting, officers heard the defendant inside the house, where he walked and opened the side door, and was informed by officers that he was under arrest. Seilala tried to close the door on the officers, but was unable as officers grabbed his wrist and placed him under arrest. When officers searched the defendant, they recovered a pack of cigarettes on the suspect that contained two hand rolled joints.

Officers then placed the suspect into a police unit and transported him to TPS, where the Vice and Narcotics division was contacted and notified of the two hand rolled joints discovered on the suspect.

Seilala was Mirandized at TPS, where he waived his rights and provided a statement, where he briefly admitted to threatening to kill his girlfriend and burn their house down because he just wanted to get out his anger.

Seilala is facing two counts — private peace disturbance and resisting arrest.

Bail is set at $500.