Police Beat
Advertiser Staff
Japanese visitor dies in bay
A 59-year-old Japanese man died of an apparent heart attack at about 11 a.m. yesterday while snorkeling in Kane'ohe Bay.
The victim, who was on vacation with his son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren, was swimming in about 3 feet of water when family members noticed he was lagging, said Joe Pickard, owner of the tour dive-boat company Club Kona.
Family members swam over to him and called for help when they noticed blood around his mouth.
A doctor and nurse who happened to be nearby performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but could not revive the man.
He was taken to He'eia Kea Boat Harbor, where an ambulance was waiting.
Woman's body found in field
PULEHU, Maui — Maui police yesterday were questioning the boyfriend of a 44-year-old Makawao woman whose body was found in a sugar cane field off Pulehu Road below Kula.
Acting Lt. Brian Kaya would not reveal why police believe the woman, whose name has not been released, was the victim of a homicide. No charges have been filed. The body was discovered at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Man charged in Pearl Kai robbery
A 33-year-old man was charged yesterday in connection with the Aug. 12 armed robbery of a Pearl Kai Shopping Center jewelry store
Edward Benson was charged with one count of first-degree robbery and was being held on $25,000 bail. Benson is accused of holding up the JT Jewelry and Watch store with another man.
Police are searching for the second man in the robbery. He is described as in his 30s, 5-foot-4, 140 pounds, with short, black hair and a tan complexion. Anyone with information should call Detective James Anderson at 529-3436 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Gunman sought in Makaha shooting
Police yesterday were searching for the gunman responsible for a drive-by shooting in Makaha Tuesday night that they said was sparked by a dispute over money.
No one was injured in the 11:04 p.m. shooting on Farrington Highway near Jade Street.
Police said they caught the suspected driver of the yellow Toyota involved in the shooting. The 31-year-old Wai'anae man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, criminal property damage and reckless endangering. However, the shooter and another passenger were still at large, police said. An apparent argument over money with a 30-year-old Wai'anae man led to a car chase and shooting, police said.
Driver who almost hit officer hunted
Police yesterday were searching for a driver who rammed a police car and nearly struck an officer Tuesday in Kapahulu, police said.
The incident happened at 2:30 a.m. at 707 Kapahulu Ave. According to police, a 19-year-old man told police that two strangers had demanded money from him, but they ran away when a police officer drove up.
The strangers drove off in separate cars, and one hit the officer's car and nearly struck the officer.
