Neighbor Island briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
BIG ISLAND
Kona officer put on desk duty
KEALAKEKUA, Hawai'i — A police officer was on routine patrol when his car struck and fatally injured a pedestrian Sunday night on Mamalahoa Highway, a Hawai'i County police official said.
Gabina Makil, 66, of Captain Cook, was walking in the crosswalk when she was hit by a patrol car operated by on-duty officer Calvin Sasaki, 51, of Kona.
Maj. Charles Chai said Sasaki was not responding to an emergency call at the time of the accident.
Chai saidSasaki is distraught and has been placed on desk duty. Sasaki is a 12-year veteran.
Makil was on her way to Sunday school and a worship service at Central Kona Union Church in Kealakekua when the accident occurred around 6:20 p.m.
She was flown to The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu, where she died at 1:50 p.m. Monday.
Big Isle warned of bogus benefit
Big Island police are warning residents not to be fooled by people representing themselves as an organization raising funds for county police.
Callers are identifying themselves as police officers and soliciting donations to benefit a drug-abuse education program.
Regulations prohibit fund-raising or any soliciting for money or gratuities, said Sgt. Randy Apele.
MAUI
Robbery suspect in court today
WAILUKU, Maui — A preliminary hearing will be held today for a Kihei man accused of robbing the First Hawaiian Bank branch in Kahului over the weekend.
Anthony Detro, 22, charged with first-degree robbery, was taken into custody shortly after the Saturday morning holdup when police found him stopped in a traffic jam.
After a man entered the bank Saturday, demanded money and fled, several customers chased him and were able to describe the white escape car to police. Officers caught him in stalled traffic on Ka'ahumanu Avenue
Lt. Mike Kaho'ohanohano said detectives are investigating whether Detro also was responsible for robberies Nov. 27 at First Hawaiian Bank in Kihei and Foodland in Kahului.
KAUA'I
Police seek hotel attacker
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Police continue to search for a man who attacked a housekeeper with a knife Thursday in a room at the Kaua'i Marriott resort.
The housekeeper managed to grab the knife and kick him until he ran away. She was cut on her hand.
The man was described as in his mid- to late 50s, wearing a dark blue polo shirt, brown shorts and slippers, and carrying a Wal-Mart shopping bag.
