Samoa Police have arrested a man wanted for the assault and robbery of a New Zealand tourist in Apia, early this month.
The SPS posted on their official Facebook page that the suspect, Silao Leleiga or Silao Fa’aleleiga, who is also known as Silao Levasa, who has a record of theft and burglaries, was arrested Saturday evening.
The victim and her two young boys had gone for a Sunday afternoon stroll on October 2nd and were allegedly “befriended” by the suspect, who then tried to assault her before running off with her handbag containing travel documents and cards.
Police were able to identify the suspect through security video from a shop in the area the assault occurred.
The visitors were inundated with the help from local tourism businesses, with the Samoa Tourism Authority picking up the tab during the rest of their stay.
It is not known when the suspect will appear in court.
