Sister fears for herself and her baby after brother attempts assault
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man from Leone who is accused of attempting to assault his sister while she was holding her 2-month old baby was arrested by police last week.
Panapa Lolo made his initial appearance in District Court where Judge Pro Temp, Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde granted a motion from his attorney to release him on his own recognizance to await his next court appearance.
According to the government’s case, it was on June 14, 2018 around 9:47 p.m when Leone Police Sub-Station received a called from the Central Station dispatcher regarding a peace disturbance matter in Sogi, Leone. Two police officers responded to the call.
Upon arrival at the scene, police officers observed a male individual sitting in front of his house. Police officers approached the individual, who later was identified as the defendant in this matter.
While police officers started to communicate with 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 is the sister of the defendant, the confrontation started when Panapa ate their father’s meal. So when she told him about being disrespectful for what he did, Panapa allegedly threw a mug at her, while she was holding her two-month old baby, but luckily she ducked and it missed her.
The sister also told police that her brother cussed at her and yelled profanities. He then tried to punch her but she ran into her bedroom and locked the door. She stated that she is afraid and concerned for the safety of her baby because she knows her brother is on drugs. She also told police that if they don’t take him, he would later beat her up because he knows she called the police on him.
The defendant was sober when one of the police officers approached him. For the safety of the sister and her baby, the police officer then made the decision to arrest the defendant and detain him at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) prior to appearing in District Court.