Updated at 10:45 a.m., Thursday, May 17, 2001
Suspect in crime spree captured
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Detectives today were standing in line to interview a 29-year-old fugitive accused of a two-week crime spree involving armed robbery, auto theft and a drive-by shooting.
Police nabbed Arthur Birano in Kalihi last night after a foot chase through a canal and residential area near Houghtailing Street. Several detectives believe Birano may be the missing link in their unsolved cases.
Birano was arrested on suspicion of violating parole, first-degree terroristic threatening, several firearms offenses, auto theft and first-degree reckless endangering.
"He seemed to be on a crime spree with the use of a firearm," Kato said. "The longer he stays on the run the more desperate he gets, and eventually someone might get hurt."
"His mindset was that he didn't want to go back to prison — that's what his brother said," said Detective Dave Furtado. "His family and friends were trying to convince him to turn himself in. There's numerous investigations on him currently pending."
On May 2 police believe Birano confronted and pointed a gun at a 21-year-old man in Kalihi after the man stared at him.
Six days later he allegedly drove a stolen car and fired several bullets into the air in a drive-by shooting on Kona and Pi'ikoi streets. The gunman then drove off and crashed near the intersection of Pensacola Street and Kapi'olani Boulevard. No one was hurt.
Yesterday morning police believe an armed Birano and two other men robbed and kidnapped a couple in Makiki before driving off in a red Chevy Camero convertible. Police arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the case, and were looking for the second one this morning.
Yesterday evening police staked out the Pagoda Hotel, where they believed Birano was heading. But they called off the stakeout shortly before 6 p.m. when he failed to appear. In an unrelated matter, police arrested two women during the stakeout on suspicion of auto theft after they allegedly parked a stolen truck between two police cars.
Last night police received a tip that Birano was visiting a relative in the area of Houghtailing and School streets.
He managed to flee police through a canal, but was captured at 8:45 p.m. when he climbed out and tried to dash through the neighborhood.
Police said Birano originally was wanted for failing to comply with the terms of his parole. Police believe he was in possession of a handgun, shotgun and Mac 11 assault weapon.
Birano has 19 convictions in Hawai'i dating back to 1990, including first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and second-degree escape, according to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center.
"We had some information that he was using crystal meth quite a bit," said Honolulu Police Department Homicide Lt. Bill Kato. "We haven't been able to confirm that. We're not taking any blood test. He hasn't told us anything.
Arthur Birano was wanted for not meeting parole rules.
