Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On February 28, 2026, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from a concerned citizen reporting an alleged disturbance in Petesa.

Two suspects were arrested, and one was charged with:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Underage Consumption of Alcohol, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not more than $500, or both.

Avele Tulai was held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, the disturbance was reported as unfolding on a public roadway in Petesa. The caller informed authorities that two intoxicated young men were causing a commotion, yelling loudly at bystanders, and shouting war cries such as “cheehoo,” while behaving in a disorderly and aggressive manner.

Police officers responded promptly to the call and upon arrival officers observed a large crowd gathered along the roadside, with bystanders attempting to calm down one of the individuals involved in the disturbance.

According to the affidavit, the situation appeared tense, as the individual continued yelling loudly towards the crowd despite efforts to de-escalate the situation.

As officers approached, one of the suspects, Peato Masuisui fled the scene on foot, prompting officers to initiate a pursuit. The officers engaged in the foot chase and eventually apprehended the fleeing individual nearby a warehouse after a brief struggle. Masuisui reportedly resisted arrest, resulting in a scuffle before officers were able to subdue him and place him into a police unit for transport.

Authorities noted that Masuisui exhibited clear signs of intoxication, including a strong odor of alcohol emanating from his person and breath, as well as slurred speech and unsteady behavior.

Emergency Medical Services were later called to assess and treat minor injuries sustained during the foot pursuit before the individual was transported to TPS and later confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility (TCF) pending court proceedings.

Meanwhile, Avele Tulai (suspect #2) was not located at the scene when officers initially arrived. However, while officers were transporting the first suspect to the TCF, they observed Tulai at another location. Officers approached him and took him into custody without incident.

Police reported that Tulai also displayed signs of intoxication at the time of his apprehension. According to the affidavit, a strong odor of alcohol was also detected from his breath and person, and he admitted to officers that he had been drinking earlier in the evening.

Upon arrival at the TPS, Tulai was Mirandized to which he acknowledged and waived. He later agreed to answer questions and cooperated with investigators during the interview process.

During questioning, Tulai admitted his involvement in the disturbance. He told officers that he had been drinking alcohol earlier in the evening near the front gate of a warehouse in Petesa. Tulai also stated that as the night progressed, the situation escalated when he and the other guy began shouting at people passing by and yelling loudly on the roadway.

Tulai further admitted to joining in on the disruptive behavior, including shouting war cries, which witnesses reported hearing during the incident. He acknowledged that their actions drew attention from nearby residents and passing motorists.

Witness statements collected by police corroborated Tulai’s account, including that they had been drinking in a public area and began causing a disturbance by yelling at pedestrians and attempting to provoke fights with people nearby.

Witnesses also stated that the individuals attempted to throw rocks at passing vehicles but were stopped by bystanders before any damage or injuries occurred.

Following his interview, Tulai was formally booked at the TPS and later transported to the TCF, where he was held to await the next sitting of the District Court.

Court documents further revealed that Tulai is under the legal drinking age of 21.

According to the affidavit, both his admission and officers’ observations confirmed that he had been consuming alcohol at the time of the incident.

From the investigation, authorities determined that there was probable cause to charge him with public peace disturbance and underage drinking, according to the affidavit.

No further information was provided for Peato Masuisui.

The case is now pending before the District Court.

Both defendants are identified as 19-year old U.S Nationals.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on March 2, 2026.

[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.]