Police Beat
Advertiser Staff
Nevada bicyclist dies on Maui
HA'IKU, Maui — A Nevada firefighter suffered fatal injuries Wednesday when he was struck by a dump truck while riding a bicycle on Hana Highway.
Ronald Stanford, 52, of Reno, was headed east on Maliko Bridge at about 10:15 a.m. when a Peterbilt truck owned by Rojac Trucking that was traveling in the same direction collided with his mountain bike. Stanford died later at Maui Memorial Medical Center.
The truck driver, a 30-year-old Pukalani man, was not injured.
Neighbors help snuff 'Ewa-area fire
An 'Ewa Beach father of 10 drew on the help of neighbors and firefighters yesterday to put out a blaze that gutted the top floor of his townhouse.
At about 10:30 a.m., fire teams from Waipahu, 'Ewa Beach and Kapolei were called to the scene, 91-551 Kulana Place, where flames could be seen emerging from the top floor of the three-bedroom home. The blaze was under control within minutes, but the firefighters weren't solely responsible.
"You gotta give credit," said Capt. Richard Soo, Fire Department spokesman. "By the time we got there, numerous neighbors were bringing garden hoses and had some of the fire under control."
The father, 44, was home with four of his children. Emergency medical workers treated him at the scene for smoke inhalation, and Red Cross crews provided aid to the family.
Soo said the fire was caused by a child playing with a lighter.
Damage was estimated at $50,000 to the building and $5,000 to the contents.
Wai'alae Avenue shoe store robbed
A man in his mid-20s is being sought in a robbery Wednesday at the Payless ShoeSource store on Wai'alae Avenue.
Video image of robber.
The man took about $100 from the register and ran away, a store spokesman said. The man is described as 5 feet 10, about 160 pounds, of medium build, with fair complexion and short black hair.
Gunman sought in Waipi'o shooting
Police are pursuing an attempted murder case against a person who fired shots Wednesday night in a Waipio Gentry neighborhood.
Nobody was hurt in the incident, which occurred about 10 p.m. in the Nanilihilihi Place cul-de-sac.
A group of about 10 people arrived in two cars and on two motorcycles and confronted another group that had gathered in the garage of a man's home., said police Detective John Woo.
As the intruders left, one man fired five shots toward the garage, using a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol.
Hairstylist safe after abduction
A stylist at the Wahiawa Supercuts shop was kidnapped while she was cutting a customer's hair Wednesday by a man who police said was her former boyfriend.
Wahiawa police said the 20-year-old man entered the shop about 5:30 p.m. and confronted the 19-year-old woman. He grabbed her by the throat and forced her outside and into his car, then drove away.
Police said the the man later pulled over and ran away.
Authorities seeking H-2 Freeway arsonist
The Honolulu Fire Department wants help in finding a "serial arsonist" who set brush fires along the H-2 Freeway for the past week, three of which were lit around noon yesterday.
Yesterday's fires broke out near Kipapa Bridge, Ka Uka Boulevard and the Wai'anae off-ramp, said the department's spokesman, Capt. Richard Soo.
Honolulu police Detective Jimmy Anderson said he believes the arsonist drove on the freeway and ignited bushes. "We're looking for descriptions of a car or person," he said.
Soo said anyone with information should call 911 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Man sought in parole violation
Big Island police are looking for a 37-year-old man who allegedly violated the terms of his parole.
The Hawai'i Paroling Authority has issued a warrant for the arrest of Eric Lopaka Poepoe, who is believed to be on the Big Island.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311.
