4 charged with hiding suspect in brutal beating of man shoved into dog kennel

Anchorage police said Friday they found the South Anchorage home where at least one suspect in a brutal attempted homicide last year was hiding.

But Faamanu "Junior" Vaifanua — accused of trying to kill a man and then putting him in a dog kennel in August 2017 — was already gone, police said. He and two other suspects in the crime remained at large and are considered armed and dangerous.

[4 charged in 'savage' beating of man brought to hospital in dog kennel]

Officers did find four people early Thursday at the home in the 700 block of Bridgestone Court they say helped hide Vaifanua and possibly the others, according to a release Friday.

Police arrested 29-year-old David Tiapula and 27-year-old Ann Tiapula on charges of first-degree hindering prosecution.

It wasn't clear if the two are married, Anchorage Police Department spokesman MJ Thim said. They live in the house together.

Also arrested were 28-year-old Crystal Sefo and 20-year-old Salote Leuta, police said.

The other suspects in the attempted homicide are Macauther Vaifanua and Rex Faumui.

All three suspects are considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached, police said. Anyone who sees them can call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 907-561-STOP to remain anonymous.

Thim likened the situation to arrests last month involving five family and friends accused of hiding two Mountain View homicide suspects for three weeks.

[Charges detail how family allegedly hid Anchorage homicide suspects during manhunt]

"Here once again we have dangerous suspects that are on the loose that are posing a threat to the public and people are hiding them from us," he said. "These three almost beat someone to death. They're armed and people have been hiding them from us."

Anyone else found aiding the wanted suspects will "be held accountable," police said. A woman identified as a person of interest, Tamole Lauina, is no longer wanted in this investigation, they said.