Posted at 11 a.m., Monday, July 9, 2001

Hospital captures violent patient

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Another patient escaped from the Hawai'i State Hospital on Saturday, the ninth reported escape from the Kane'ohe facility this year, and the second since an elderly man acquitted of murder walked out June 29.

Police said Peter Kraus, 19, who has a history of violent behavior on the Big Island and was committed to the hospital by the court, was arrested Saturday evening after he was spotted wandering on Kane'ohe Bay Drive.

"He had some underlying violent crimes he was sent there for," said Det. Alex Garcia, who handled the case. "He has some problems in Hilo with different assault-type of behaviors. We needed to get him back in custody as soon as possible."

Police said the hospital didn't notify authorities immediately, but the hospital countered that staff found the escapee quickly and called police.

"The only part that kind of disturbs us was that we were not called as soon as he left the grounds," Garcia said. "It was more than an hour before we were contacted. We were contacted only after one of the employees happened to see him on the road. It's a long way to go from the hospital to Kane'ohe Bay Drive. We're concerned. (The patients are) court-committed and they're there for a reason."

The acting director of the hospital said the patient was on "escorted privileges," meaning he was being monitored by staff.

"That's the reason why they got a hold of him immediately," said Dr. Celia Ona, noting that police were called about 6:20 p.m. "The staff called immediately. It was very quick.

"We are a treatment facility, not a prison," Ona said. "We do our best to maintain safety and security for patients, staff and the community."

Police say Kraus walked away from the hospital cafeteria at about 5:15 p.m. and was arrested at 45-710 Kane'ohe Bay Drive at 6:50 p.m.

Police charged Kraus yesterday with second-degree escape and set his bail at $12,000. He was scheduled to appear in court today and be taken to the O'ahu Community Correctional Center.

According to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, Kraus has no criminal convictions.

Last year 16 patients escaped; nine have escaped so far this year. The Hawai'i State Hospital serves 160 patients with a staff of 600.

Last month 64-year-old Stanley Morris Santos, who was acquitted by reason of insanity for a strangulation murder more than 30 years ago, escaped from the hospital and was not captured until a hospital worker recognized him and flagged down a police officer more than 28 hours later.

Authorities said they did not notify the public because they did not think Santos was dangerous.

He had been committed to Hawai'i State Hospital in 1970 after being accused in the murder of a man found severely beaten and strangled.