Police Beat
Advertiser Staff
Big Island police kill armed man
A Big Island police officer shot and killed a man armed with a knife yesterday afternoon in Puna.
Patrol officers answered a call about a disturbance at a Kupono Street residence where they confronted a man armed with a military-type dagger.
Police said the man with the dagger was attacking another man. Officers ordered him to drop the weapon and shot him when he refused to do so.
He was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center. The man was identified only as a 39-year-old resident of Kupono Street in Leilani Estates Subdivision. An investigation is under way.
Moped rider killed after hitting dog
A moped rider was killed Friday night after striking a large dog on Farrington Highway near Waialua. The dog had been hit moments earlier by a pickup truck.
According to the Honolulu Police Department, at 6:34 p.m. the moped rider, who was traveling without his lights turned on, sustained critical injuries when he was thrown to the pavement after hitting the animal.
The rider was taken to The Queen's Medical Center where he died a short time later.
The incident was O'ahu's 74th traffic fatality of the year, compared with 65 deaths at the same time last year, police said.
Police seek man in bank robbery
Police are seeking help finding the robber in a Dec. 13 holdup at the Central Pacific Bank branch in the Kahala Times Supermarket.
The man, in his late 30s to early 40s, handed a bank teller a note at about 3:30 p.m., indicating that he had a weapon. The man put an undisclosed amount of money in a brown handbag.
He is described as 5 feet 10, 140 pounds, with a slim build and fair complexion, dark hair and a graying mustache and beard. He was wearing dark sunglasses, a green baseball cap, a baggy green sweater and light shorts. He was carrying a light jacket and the bag.
Anyone with information can call the CrimeStoppers hotline at 955-8300 (*CRIME on cellular phones).
Nanakuli pair held after drug raid
A Nanakuli Avenue couple was arrested yesterday after a raid of their house uncovered crystal methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, police said.
Narcotics and special services divisions took part in the raid, executing a search warrant to enter the home at 87-711 Nanakuli Ave.
Police recovered about nine grams of crystal methamphetamine, about 1 1/2 grams of marijuana, "ice" pipes and other drug-related gear, said acting Lt. John Shaw, of the Kapolei narcotics and vice operation.
The charges pending against the suspects, both 55, are second-degree promoting of dangerous drugs for the ice, third-degree promoting detrimental drug for the marijuana, and drug paraphernalia possession.
Handguns missing from Waikiki club
Ten handguns have been reported missing from the Magnum 2000 Gun Club, which closed in August.
The business, at the Waikiki Trade Center, was closed Aug. 1 for nonpayment of rent, police said. Owners on Monday conducted an inventory and notified police that the guns were missing. Police are investigating the case as first-degree theft.
Wahiawa teacher pleads not guilty
A Wahiawa teacher has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges.
Gabriel Kealoha, 28, is charged with three counts of second-degree sexual assault and three counts of fourth-degree sexual assault.
His trial is scheduled for Feb. 19; he remains free on $15,000 bond.
Kealoha is accused of fondling and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old eighth-grade girl. The alleged incident occurred at the school on May 27, but was not reported until a few weeks ago.
Kealoha has taught at the school since August 1998. He is on paid leave.
Gifts stolen from Toys for Tots
Toys intended for needy children have been stolen from two O'ahu pickup sites for Toys for Tots.
Marine Corps spokeswoman Lt. Col. Sarah Fry said that when Marine reservists, who sponsor the program, went to the Hawai'i Kai branch of Bank of Hawai'i on Thursday, the toys already had been picked up by a man who said he was from Toys for Tots.
Bank of Hawai'i spokesman Stafford Kiguchi said the Hawai'i Kai branch had about 20 toys for the program. Kiguchi said the bank, which already made a $10,000 donation to the program, will donate another $500 to cover the cost of the stolen toys.
Later Thursday, when the Marine reservists went to Windward Dodge, about 15 to 20 toys had already been picked up by someone not associated with Toys for Tots.
The Hawai'i Dodge/ Chrysler/ Jeep Dealer Advertising Association donated $11,000 to the Toys for Tots program on Friday.
Fort Weaver Road lane to be closed
The state Department of Transportation advises motorists that one lane of Fort Weaver Road between Geiger Road and Laulaunui Street will be closed in either the northbound or southbound direction tomorrow through Friday for road work.
Northbound will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and southbound from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There will be no closures on Christmas Day.
Motorists are advised to use caution in the work area and allow for extra travel time.
