Posted on: Friday, May 25, 2001

Shooting, burglary suspect indicted

By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer

An O'ahu grand jury yesterday indicted a man who police believe was involved in a drive-by shooting May 8 near Ala Moana Center and a "home-invasion"-style burglary of a Kewalo Street apartment a week later.

Arthur Birano, 29, was indicted on 14 criminal counts, including robbery, kidnapping, burglary and a variety of firearms offenses.

Police believe Birano had been on a crime spree since his parole in February.

Birano allegedly stole a car and fired several bullets into the air at the corner of Piikoi and Kona streets before crashing at the intersection of Pensacola Street and Kapi'olani Boulevard. No one was hurt.

Most of the charges in yesterday's multiple indictments stem from a May 16 incident in which Birano and two other men allegedly robbed and kidnapped a couple in a Makiki apartment.

Bail for Birano was set at $450,000.

Nicolas Nakano and Bryce Takara were also indicted on robbery, kidnapping, and burglary charges for their alleged roles in the Kewalo Street incident.

Bail was set at $50,000 for Nakano and $11,000 for Takara.

Birano was also indicted on five counts charging him with various firearms violations resulting from the May 8 incident, and one count of terroristic threatening that arose from a May 2 incident.