At 1:43 AM on March 24, 2022, Anchorage Police responded to a residence on the 100-block of Pettis Road regarding a robbery in progress.  The caller stated two men had entered the home with guns and were actively assaulting an adult male.  Upon arrival officers saw the two suspects outside of the home.  30-year-old Sabu S. Utai was taken into custody without incident.  The second suspect, 30-year-old Val Tapusoa, dropped the rifle he was holding and fled on foot.

One of the officers recognized Tapusoa and knew that he had an outstanding felony warrant (Probation Violation for Vehicle Theft).  Officers located Tapusoa hiding in an unlocked vehicle that was parked in front of a home on the 100-block of Shelly Marie Circle; the vehicle belonged to the homeowner.  Tapusoa barricaded himself inside the vehicle and refused to follow officers’ commands.  A Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) officer arrived and attempted to convince Tapusoa to end the standoff peacefully, but Tapusoa would not comply.  Pepper balls were deployed into the vehicle which caused Tapusoa to exit and then climb on top of a nearby trailer.  Tapusoa continued his refusal to be cooperative; more pepper balls were deployed along with K9 Jack.  K9 Jack contacted Tapusoa’s arm and leg.  Tapusoa was able to break free from K9 Jack and jump over a fence.

The perimeter officers confronted Tapusoa who continued to flee at which time K9 Kiska was deployed. K9 Kiska contacted Tapusoa’s arm; Tapusoa was taken into custody without further incident.  Tapusoa was transported to the hospital for treatment of the dog bites and pepper ball exposure.  Both men were driven to the Anchorage Police Department for questioning by detectives.

Val Tapusoa was remanded at the Anchorage Jail on his existing felony warrant.  He was also charged with Robbery I, Attempted Robbery I, five counts of Assault III, Theft II, Theft III, and Misconduct Involving a Weapon III.

Sabu Utai was remanded at the jail on the charges of Robbery I, Theft II, Misconduct Involving a Weapon III, and Assault IV.

Initial indications are that Utai and Tapusoa entered the residence with firearms and assaulted three people by hitting them with the guns.  The two suspects then ordered the victims to turn over their personal possessions.  There were other people in the residence as well whom the suspects pointed their guns at but did not physically assault.  Officers arrived on scene just as the two suspects had completed the robbery and were in the process of leaving.  While the motive for the robbery is still under investigation, detectives do not believe this was a random crime.

The assault victims received medical attention for their non-life-threatening injuries.  No officers or K9s were hurt.

APD Case 22-9380

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