Full Notification

San Mateo, CA – On July 4, 2025, at 10:05 p.m., a San Mateo Police Officer was proactively monitoring for illegal fireworks activity in the area of 2^nd Avenue and Humboldt Street. Around that time, the officer saw the adult male suspect, later identified as Okusitino Tau, light off a mortar style firework approximately 75 feet to the officer’s left on 2^nd Avenue. As the officer attempted to contact Tau, Tau fled the area in his vehicle at a high rate of speed. The officer attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle, but due to the reckless driving behavior of Tau, the officer terminated the pursuit for public safety reasons.
 
Through the course of the investigation, both Tau, and a female passenger, identified as Samatalifolau Langi, were located at a residence in the 100 block of S. Grant Street. Tau attempted to hide from officers while Langi was detained, attempted to flee from officers on foot, and was eventually detained, without further incident. A search of Tau’s vehicle was conducted, a stolen firearm and multiple illegal fireworks were located inside of the vehicle, and Tau was ultimately arrested for violations of being a felon in possession of a firearm, evading with wanton disregard for safety, possession of a loaded firearm in public, obstructing or resisting an officer, possession of stolen property, possession of fireworks without a permit, and the hit and run of an uninvolved vehicle that was later discovered by officers. Tau was also a felon on parole, and a parole hold was authorized for him. Langi was arrested for violations of possession of a narcotic substance, and possession of a controlled substance without prescription.
 
Both Tau and Langi were booked into the San Mateo County Jail, without further incident.
  
ARRESTED
Okusitino Tau, 25 years old, resident of Redwood City
Samatalifolau Langi, 24 years old, resident of Merced
 
CHARGES:
Tau: PC 29800-(A) (1) Felon in Possession of a Firearm, VC 2800.2 (A) Evading with Wanton Disregard for Safety, PC 25850(A) Possession of a Loaded Firearm in Public, PC 148 (A) (1)-Obstructing or Resisting an Officer, HS 12677 Possession of Fireworks Without a Permit, VC 20002 (A) (1)-Hit and Run, PC 3056-Violation of Parole
 
Langi: HS 11375 (B) (2) Possession of a Controlled Substance Without a Permit, HS 11350 (A) Possession of a Narcotic Substance