Notorious criminal Lauititi Tualima was captured by the police near the Aele Primary School on Monday evening after being on the run for almost two months. 

Samoa Observer was in Aele just after 6 pm when several police vehicles drove out from the rental property where Tualima was found. 

There are two rental homes within the compound where Tualima was found and outside were women and young children sitting around while officers were executing the operation. 

A resident of Aele said he saw heavy police presence outside the rental property and alleged the residents were suspected of harbouring other suspects under police radar. 

The rental homes are located just behind the Aele Primary School rugby field. There were many bystanders when Tualima was handcuffed by police. 

Tualima has been on the run since the end of January when he escaped the high-security Tanumalala prison. 

Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said the prisoner was successfully captured by the police thanks to the assistance of the local community. 

He added there was the possibility of charges against the residents of the rental property if they were proven to have been harbouring the prisoner.