Big Island police officer charged with domestic abuse

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Staff Writer

HILO, Hawai'i — Police Chief Jimmy Correa yesterday announced the arrest and charge of a Ka'u patrolman on four criminal offenses stemming from alleged domestic abuse of a 20-year-old woman.

Warren Ke, 38, was arrested Friday at the Na'alehu station in Ka'u by the Kona domestic violence unit. Ke was taken to the Kona police cellblock in Kealakehe, where he was later charged with counts of hindering prosecution and unlawful imprisonment, and two counts of abusing a household member.

The victim reported to police that "Ke had assaulted her in two separate recent incidents and had prevented her from reporting to police investigators," the chief's statement said.

Ke was held in lieu of $8,000 bail. He is expected to be arraigned in Kona District Court sometime tomorrow.