5 Oct 2016

Fugitive from Tonga caught in American Samoa

From , 5:01 am on 5 October 2016

An American man who escaped custody in Tonga and sailed out of the country in his yacht has been detained in American Samoa.

Dean Jay Fletcher, who is accused of the murder of his wife, sailed out of Vava'u in the early hours of Thursday morning, and a chase was called off after Mr Fletcher fired flares at Tongan police.

On Tuesday morning his yacht, the Sea Oak, entered Pago Pago harbour, 600 kilometres to the northeast, and attempted to refuel, but when he couldn't he tried to leave before being intercepted by authorities.

Our correspondent in Pago Pago, Monica Miller, told Jamie Tahana that Mr Fletcher is now being held by police for a customs violation.

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Photo: Tauva Esera