Police intercepted a vehicle, a suspect of the Fa’atoia homicide case was travelling in, and managed to capture the man who had been on the run since last week. 

Deputy Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti confirmed the police efforts to chase down Semisi Ali’imatafitafi around 11 am at Tufuiopa on Tuesday.

“Police intercepted the vehicle that he was travelling in,” said Papalii. 

Semisi was wanted in relation to the homicide investigation at Faatoia which was reported to police last week Wednesday. 

Police put out a wanted notice on Monday night appealing to members of the public to provide any information that may lead to the location of the suspect. 

He is from the villages of Matautu, Apia and Faleasiu and is suspected of having caused the death of another male who was found by Police at the crime scene. 

Police were responding to calls from neighbours who reported hearing gunshots from the residence of a drug offender, who is currently serving time in jail. 

Although the crime is reported by the Police to have occurred at Fa’atoia, the village mayor, Fuata Isaia disputed this information and said it happened in Leone. 

Fuata said the house where the incident occurred has continuously been referred to as Fa’atoia, whereas he said it is in Leone and has mistakenly been referred to as their village. 

He added the incident has tainted the good name of their village and those involved and the deceased and the suspect are not from Fa’atoia but other villages. 

However, the Deputy Police Commissioner said the area in which the incident occurred has always been known generally as Fa’atoia. She pointed out that the Police have executed previous search warrants in the same area. 

“We are happy to have further discussions with the pulenuu to garner their support in our efforts to ensure a safe and peaceful Samoa,” said Papalii.