Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On October 14, 2024, a female individual called the Tafuna Police Substation to report her nephew allegedly stole from her husband.

The defendant was later apprehended and charged with Count 1: Stealing, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

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

According to the affidavit, on October 14th, at about 4:20 p.m., a female individual contacted the TPS pertaining her nephew Timothy Asiasi, who the reporter alleged had stolen a bag from her husband’s Aiga bus.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival, they approached the suspect who was sitting on the floor in the house. The house is privately owned by the suspect’s relatives. When the officers got close to the suspect, they observed that his hands were already handcuffed. The suspect’s forehead and upper right eye appeared to be swollen.

The officers then met with the reporter who explained to the authorities what had happened. At the same time, the other officers met with another male individual who was later revealed to be the one who handcuffed the suspect. Interviews of witnesses were also conducted on the scene.

The reporter, Penny Siilima told police that Asiasi stole a bag from her husband’s bus. She stated that the bag contained a Samoa Passport (worth: $200 Talā Samoa), ID (worth: $40.00 U.S), $50.00 cash and a driver’s license (worth: $40.00). She asked the suspect about the bag but he refused to admit he took it. She decided then to call the police while Andrew Hunkin restrained and handcuffed the suspect.

Another witness was interviewed, and he was asked how the suspect got a swollen forehead. According to the witness, the suspect was being restrained by Hunkin when the suspect scraped his head on the floor and screamed.

Police interviewed Hunkin who explained that when he got back home from work, Penny Siilima told him about the bag stolen by the suspect. When the suspect got home, Hunkin claimed that he asked the suspect about the bag but he lied repeatedly. He said when he restrained Asiasi the suspect tripped and fell face first and hit his forehead on the floor.

Hunkin further explained that while he was trying to cuff him, the suspect was moving around a lot causing him to scrape his head on the floor. He then tried to hold his head but the suspect continued to scream and scrape his head. When he finally cuffed him, Penny contacted the police.

At about 4:34 p.m., one of the officers escorted the suspect to the police unit where he was asked permission to be searched to which he agreed. One rolled paper of weed and one rolled up paper that had a controlled substance was found. It was immediately confiscated by police.

The suspect was transported to the TPS, where EMS personnel were waiting to examine the suspect and it was decided to take him to the LBJ Hospital for further examination.

The controlled substance and marijuana were turned over to the Watch Commander to await the arrival of the Vice & Narcotics Unit.

At about 6:18 p.m., the victim walked into the TPS to make a statement.

His written statement stated that he came back from work as a bus driver. The suspect approached him and asked for clippers which he went and looked for but couldn’t find. When he got back, he told the suspect he didn't have a clipper. The victim stated he then went to take a shower before heading back to work. To his surprise, when he came back, his bag was missing and the suspect was nowhere to be found.

He continued on to work — driving the bus. He explained that as he passed by a vehicle that the suspect was getting into, he exited the bus and shouted the suspect’s name but the vehicle didn’t stop. The victim also said that the suspect is a part of his family and lives on the same property. He stated that the bus had been parked in front of his house.

At about 11:40 p.m., the doctor told the authorities that after the suspect’s X-Ray and examinations, it was found that there was no fracture or seriousness of his injuries.

The suspect arrived at about 11:57 p.m. at the TPS for further investigation. He was Mirandized and agreed to make a statement. He confessed that he asked the victim for clippers which he replied “no” and when the victim went away he took the bag from the bus’ driver’s side. He also admitted that he took the money and threw the bag away and that he smokes weed and does drugs.

On October 14, 2024 at 12:19 a.m., the suspect was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility awaiting the next available sitting of the District Court.

The following day, Hunkin contacted the TPS to let them know that the bag was found and the items were accounted for, except for the money.

The defendant is identified as a 25-year-old U.S National.