Posted at 12:40 p.m., Monday, May 21, 2001

Crime-spree suspect charged

Advertiser Staff

A 29-year-old man who police believe was involved in a crime spree since his parole in February has been charged in one of the incidents.

Arthur Birano, wanted for failing to comply with the terms of his parole, was arrested by police officers Wednesday.

He was charged Friday with first-degree terroristic threatening in a threatening incident in Kalihi on May 2, 2001. Bail was set at $50,000. Police say Birano pointed a gun at a 21-year-old man 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 drove off and crashed near the intersection of Pensacola Street and Kapi'olani Boulevard. No one was hurt.

On Wednesday morning, police believe an armed Birano and two other men robbed and kidnapped a couple in Makiki before driving off in a red Chevy Camaro convertible. Police arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the case and were looking for the second one this morning.

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.