Advertiser Staff

Charges filed in church arson

Police have charged a 37-year-old homeless man in connection with a fire that caused an estimated $2,000 in damage to a Kailua church in January.

Police charged Adam Michael Albert, who has no local address, with second-degree criminal property damage yesterday in the fire set at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 94 N. Kainalu Drive, on Jan. 6, police said.

His bail was set at $25,000.

Albert was arrested Monday afternoon at Tripler Army Medical Center. Police said he might be suffering from mental illness.

Church officials said oil from a wall-mounted candle lamp apparently had been poured on Nativity scene straw and set on fire. The flames quickly spread to the church altar.

Brothers’ quarrel ends in stabbing

Police have opened an attempted homicide investigation into a stabbing yesterday after a quarrel between two brothers at a Ho‘ola‘i Street residence in Kaka‘ako about 4:10 p.m.

One man was stabbed in the left biceps. While at the Pali Momi hospital, the victim refused to report the incident to police, which was reported by the hospital staff.

His brother was later arrested by police on suspicion of attempted murder.

Man reports holdup in Waikiki

Police were searching for four men who robbed a 19-year-old man at knife-point in Waikiki early this morning.

The victim told police he was walking near 2449 Kuhio Ave. about 1 a.m. when he was confronted by four men, including one who brandished a knife and demanded money.

The robber took money from the man’s wallet, then returned the wallet, police said. He reported the incident an hour later.

Accidental release turns himself in

A 39-year-old fugitive who was accidentally released from prison last month surrendered to police yesterday.

Raymond Mathewson turned himself in to state sheriffs at about 4:15 p.m.

Mathewson, who was wanted on offenses including terroristic threatening, assault and a weapons violation, was accidentally released from the Oahu Community Correctional Center Feb. 27.