Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 29, 2025, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from a woman claiming that stolen checks from her employer were forged at a local store. Investigation later revealed that 3 suspects were involved in the alleged theft. Currently only two are charged.

Tutulutaatia Leota and Mutaaga Vili were charged with:

Count 1: Forgery, a class C felony punishable by up to seven years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Stealing, a class C felony punishable by up to seven years imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

The defendants’ bail were set at $5,000 each.

Court records reveal that on Apr. 29th, at approximately 1:42 p.m., a woman, later identified as the reporter, contacted the TPS to report that a check from a checkbook that had been stolen last year was recently discovered to have been used at the Lucky 7 store in Nuuuli.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival at the Lucky 7 store in Nuuuli, they were approached by a woman who identified herself as the reporter. The reporter stated that she is the Sales Supervisor of the Craig Joinery Company.

The reporter explained that she was taken by surprise when her friend, a cashier at the Lucky 7 store contacted her and informed her that one of the company’s checks had been used at the store.

The reporter explained that she asked the cashier to send a photo of the check in question so she could verify its authenticity. Upon receiving the image, the reporter stated that she confirmed that the check belonged to the checkbook stolen from the company, and reported last year.

She explained that the original theft was reported in July 2024. She stated that she provided a full statement and submitted relevant evidence to the officer assigned to the case at that time. However, she had not received any updates or leads since the report was filed.

The reporter said that the stolen checkbook was never recovered and she expressed surprise that a check from the stolen checkbook had now surfaced.

Authorities approached the cashier at the Lucky 7 store who was directly involved in the incident. The cashier stated that around 1:00 p.m., a woman entered the store and made a purchase totaling $38. The woman was later identified as Tutulutaatia Leota.

The cashier reported that the suspect paid using the company check in the amount of $500 drawn from the Craig Joinery Company.

After completing the transaction, the cashier cashed the check and provided $462 in change to the suspect. The suspect left the store without incident. However, approximately 10 minutes later, she received a phone call from a cashier at one of the store’s branches, located in Fagaima. The caller inquired whether it was acceptable to process a $400 from the Craig Joinery Company.

She said she immediately became suspicious and decided to verify with another branch of their business located at the Tafuna intersection. To her surprise, the cashier from their Tafuna branch informed her that he had cashed a $300 check from the same company made out to an individual identified as Mutaaga Vili (suspect #2).

The cashier in Nuuuli stated she immediately contacted their Fagaima branch and instructed the cashier not to accept or process any checks issued under the Graig Joinery Company. Following this, the cashier stated she reached out to her friend (reporter) who is the Sales Supervisor at the said company and inquired about the checks.

After learning about the incident, the reporter proceeded to the Lucky 7 store to meet with the cashier and upon confirming that the checks were unauthorized they contacted the police station to report the matter.

The reporter also noted that she observed the check used at the Lucky 7 store was issued under the name Tutulutaatia Leota. Upon seeing the name, she immediately recognized the suspect and confirmed that she was previously associated with the stolen checkbook case reported last year.

The reporter claimed that Leota is married to a man who was allegedly involved in the original theft of the company’s checkbook. She further stated that she attempted to contact Ms. Leota using the phone number written on the check. According to the reporter, the suspect answered the call and stated that she was busy at the moment but would repay the money. Shortly after, the suspect ended the call and all further attempts to reach her were unsuccessful.

An investigation revealed that authorities later received information regarding Leota’s possible employment at the Tool Shop. They proceeded to the Tool Shop and were told that the suspect was no longer employed at the Tool Shop and was terminated the previous year due to allegations of embezzlement. A separate case had been filed against her. The suspect’s former employer advised the authorities to check the suspect’s last known residence located in the village of Aoloau.

Police officers proceeded to Aoloau and made contact with the suspect. Authorities informed Leota that she was not in custody and she was advised that the transportation to the TPS for an interview was voluntary and that she was free to decline.

Authorities conducted an interview with suspect #1 and during the interview, Leota admitted her involvement in the unauthorized use of the checks from the company. She stated that she and her cousin, Mutaaga Vili (suspect #2) needed the money for a family faalavelave.

According to Leota, they went to the village of Pavaiai and received three checks from a man identified as Edward Rose (suspect #3). Leota claimed that all three checks were under the name of the said company and had been provided to them by Rose. She further stated that they first went to the Lucky 7 store where she filled out one check in her name for the amount of $500 and was able to successfully cash it. They then proceeded to another store located in the Tafuna intersection where another check was issued in the name of Mutaaga Vili. That check was written in the amount of $300 and it was also cashed.

Leota admitted that they used a portion of the funds to pay utility bills at ASPA.

Following that, she and Vili went to Fagaima Mart where she attempted to cash a third check for $400. However, the cashier refused the transaction.

Leota admitted she was aware the checks were stolen but she proceeded with the transaction because she urgently needed money for their family faalavelave.

She provided a written statement documenting her verbal statement during the interview.

At around 5:28 p.m,. The officers proceeded to the residence of Rose in an attempt to locate him. Upon arrival, the officers were met by a family member who informed them that Rose was not at home at the time.

On April 30, 2025 around 10:20 a.m., the officers proceeded to locate suspect #2 and were also unsuccessful.

Follow up was made again at the residence of Edward Rose and was again unsuccessful. At around 2:00 p.m., the officers proceeded once again to locate Vili and upon reaching a road across from a sewing shop, an individual approached and directed them towards Vili’s residence. As the officers approached the house, a woman came forward and identified herself as Mutaaga Vili.

Suspect #2 was interviewed and was also informed that she was not arrested. Suspect #2 corroborated suspect #1’s account of the events leading up to the incident. Vili also stated that she overheard Rose telling Leota that he had the checks. He then instructed Leota not to use the checks at the stores located in the Mapusaga and Pavaiai area as he already visited those locations. Instead, he advised them to try the stores in the Nuuuli and Tafuna areas.

Vili admitted she was aware that the checks were stolen but stated that they were "desperate" and in need of financial assistance. Vili also provided a written statement.

It was further noted in the affidavit that Edward Rose has a history of prior involvement with law enforcement.

It’s unknown at this time if Rose has been brought in for questioning for his alleged involvement in the case.

Tutulutaatia Leota is identified as a 33-year-old U.S National, Mutaaga Vili as a 32 year-old U.S National; and, Edward Rose is identified as a 29-year-old U.S National.