Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On December 20, 2025, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call, concerning a man causing a disturbance at an employee break area of a local business in Malaeimi.

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 affidavit filed in District Court on January 5, 2026, the man reportedly arrived at the break tent during the lunch hour and immediately began displaying aggressive behavior towards the employees present — making loud noises and repeatedly shouting profanities at them.

Concerned for the safety of the workers, someone at the scene promptly contacted the TPS to report the incident, which prompted an immediate police response.

Upon arrival, officers observed a man matching the description provided in the report. The suspect’s aggressive demeanor, coupled with the serious nature of the threats, led officers to place him under arrest at the scene to prevent further escalation and to protect the public. The suspect was secured and placed into a police vehicle without incident before being transported to the TPS for further questioning and processing.

According to witness statements obtained by authorities, at the scene, the suspect was holding a metal object during the incident and continued to make verbal threats, claiming he would use a gun if he possessed one. Employees described feeling alarmed and intimidated by the man’s behavior, prompting one of them to immediately report the incident to law enforcement.

Additional witnesses confirmed the aggressive nature of the suspect’s actions, noting that he continued to yell and use offensive language despite attempts by those around him to calm the situation.

According to their statements, the man’s behavior escalated to the point that it created a palpable sense of fear among employees present in the break area.

Following these accounts, officers transported the suspect to the TPS for further investigation. The suspect was later identified as Louis Chapdelaine.

Once at the substation, the suspect was advised of his constitutional rights. During questioning, he refused to provide a written statement and declined to answer officers’ questions.

Authorities reported that the man repeatedly reached for a backpack while continuing to make threats, stating that he would harm officers if given the opportunity.

Due to the suspect’s aggressive and unpredictable behavior, officers maintained a close position to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

The suspect allegedly agreed to cooperate only if his restraints were removed. Officers briefly un-cuffed him to gain compliance, but he continued to refuse to provide identification or any information about himself.

At one point, despite repeated warnings, the suspect stood and reached for his backpack. Police quickly restrained him to prevent any potential danger, and no further incident occurred following this intervention.

After completing the investigation, the suspect was formally arrested and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility. He was booked and held pending his appearance at the next sitting of the District Court.

Employees at the business expressed relief that police responded quickly and managed to resolve the situation without injury. Authorities have confirmed that the suspect’s behavior was taken seriously due to the threats made and the potential for harm, and the case remains under investigation as it moves through the court system.

The defendant is identified as a 63-year-old U.S citizen.

[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]