Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 4, 2025, traffic officers encountered a man walking in the middle of a busy road with a baby in his arms. The officers secured the main road in an effort to remove the child and the suspect safely.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Pedestrian Under the Influence, in violation of A.S.C.A 22.0402;

Count 2: Resisting Arrest, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 3: Public Peace Disturbance (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

(Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identities of the minors involved in this case.)

Court records indicated that on Oct 4th, around 5:00 p.m., traffic officers heading west on the westbound lane of the Futiga Public Highway came across a man (later identified as the suspect) carrying a baby in the middle of the road. The man was heading east on the eastbound lane.

At the same time, a woman (later identified as the baby’s mother/ victim) was behind the suspect, trying to grab the baby from the suspect while the traffic was busy on both lanes. Vehicles were yielding, and a few had to go around them for their safety.

When the police unit pulled up close to the suspect, he continued walking while the officers called out to him. The suspect kept yelling out that he was taking his daughter to Tuiatua (the late chief of the Tuitaua Dynasty, buried in Futiga). The suspect also mentioned that his daughter is named after the late royal queen of Samoa, and no one is to come close to her.

He was also yelling and chanting in different languages while his 2-year-old daughter was crying profusely.

It was not until the suspect heard the officers call out to him on the PA system that he gently gave up the baby to his wife, but continued to walk ahead.

The officers approached the suspect and attempted to speak with him, but he continued walking away. The officers tried to take him off the road about three to four times, but the suspect kept resisting the officers on and off the road.

The officers reported that he was a challenge to take down — he was rigid and sturdy for a trim male physique.

When the officers were finally able to take the suspect down, they continued to have a hard time placing the handcuffs on him. The suspect wouldn’t give in, and he was a strong individual. The police unit was used to block both lanes for the safety of the officers and the suspect.

Two bystanders who were related to the suspect also came and helped the officers secure the suspect, which took about 15-20 minutes.

The suspect was transported to the LPS for further investigation.

Upon arrival at the LPS, the officers attempted to speak with the suspect, but he continued to give the authorities a hard time. The officers described the suspect’s demeanor as someone who was on drugs. He didn’t blink; he just stared at the responding officer and continued yelling and chanting nonstop.

The suspect was booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

The victim later arrived at the station, where she was interviewed about what happened.

According to the victim, when her husband (the suspect) got off work earlier, she told him to go rest and leave the mowing for another day. Instead, the suspect went and picked up their baby and walked away. She walked outside, following the suspect, and called out to him to stop, but he didn’t.

The victim stated that she continued to call out to the suspect, but there was no response. She also threw rocks at him, yet he didn’t respond to her. They ended up on the main road because she was worried about their baby, which the suspect was carrying. Fortunately, the police saw them and brought them into the station.

Additionally, the victim stated that for a few days, her husband had not been himself. His demeanor was scary for her and their babies, which led to what happened today.

She told the officers that she is scared for her and her young children’s safety and is worried something bigger will happen if he is released.

The defendant is identified as a 38-year-old citizen of Samoa.