Prison escapee

Suitupe Faamoe Paufai escaped Wednesday and Samoa Prisons and Correctional Services notified police of his escape.

Paufai is from the villages of Vailuutai, Faleatiu and Fagamalo Savaii.

Police are appealing to the public to call 22222 or go to a nearest police station if they have any information on the whereabouts of Paufai.

This is the second report of an escape in less than a fortnight.

On 29 April, two teenagers who were charged for several criminal offences escaped from custody at Tafaigata Prison.

Uli Manuleleua allegedly escaped from prison with four other inmates just before Christmas last year by walking out of the high security wing of Tafa'igata Prison.

Two inmates were apprehended on the same day and a third was caught in early February.

Manuleleua was handed into authorities by family members in April this year and police reported they found marijuana leaves on him.

He now faces charges of escaping from prison and possession of a banned substance and will make a second appearance next month.

Photo source Samoa Police 

Uili Manuleleua was one of four incarcerated at Tafa'igata Prison who broke out just a few days before Christmas last year.

Two were recaptured just a few hours later and a third a few weeks later.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said a few weeks ago that Police were "tracing the prisoner".

Samoa police spokesman Auapa'au Logoitino Filipo said Manuleleua has been convicted of theft and breaking and entering.

Lagalaga Misiluki escaped from prison around lunch time yesterday.

Samoa Police Service say Misiluki’s family and village are responsible for bringing him back to lawful custody.

Misiluki faces charges of escaping and possession of marijuana.

It’s alleged he had some marijuana joints with him.

Another prisoner, Uili Manuleleua, who escaped from prison last month is still on the run and his whereabouts are unknown.

Misiluki, 38, of Fagalii-tai and Salamumu was reported missing by the Samoa Prisons and Corrections Service at 12.40pm.

Police are now assisting the prison authority to locate him.

The public is being advised that Misiluki is considered dangerous and should not be approached.

If anyone has any information regarding his whereabouts please contact the police on phone 22 222 or 911 or report it to any police station near you.

Photo source Samoa Police Service/Facebook 

Manuleleua was one of four prisoners who broke out of the prison a week before Christmas.

Three others have since been recaptured and are now back in prison.

Police have previously advised the public not to approach the escapee has he is considered dangerous.

Samoa Prison Services said the public's safety is their priority at this time of the year and the police are working around the clock to catch the criminal.

An investigation is also underway into how the prisoners broke out of the complex.

They are also investigating whether the escapee is linked to a spate of thefts reported in the past few days.

Police spokesperson Su’a Le Mamea Tiumalu says 18 year old Aniseko Vaelei of Aele and Vaiusu has been out of Tafaigata Prison for over three weeks.

Su’a adds Prison and Correctional Services only notified them of Vaelei’s escape a few days ago.

“Aniseko Vaelei is serving sentence at Tafaigata for four charges and his current sentence would conclude in 2020. However with his latest escape he is facing further charges,” says Su’a.