Police Beat

Advertiser Staff

Search still on for two fugitives

Police are seeking two fugitives wanted for parole and probation violations. One of them also is sought for questioning in a kidnapping.

Shawn Thomas	Vernon D.K. Johnson Jr.

Thomas, known to change his appearance to hide his identity, claims to be disabled. He was seen on O'ahu at an airport hotel on Oct. 15.

If you have information, call Detective Glen Yoshida at 529-3051 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

Vernon D.K. Johnson Jr. is wanted for probation violations related to a felony theft conviction and a contempt-of-court violation.

Johnson also is wanted for questioning in the kidnapping of a 16-year-old boy in Kaimuki on Sept. 27 when a man demanded $600 from the boy's grandparents for his release. The boy was released unharmed the same day.

Johnson is believed to be frequenting the Salt Lake area.

Information may be called in to Detective Nani Kaopua at 529-3085 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

Teen charged in Ma'ili death

Police have charged a 17-year-old Ma'ili boy in connection with a fatal beating of a 43-year-old man near Ma'ili Beach Park on July 18, 2000.

The boy was charged Wednesday with second-degree murder and sent to a detention home.

In December, officers arrested him and a 19-year-old Ma'ili man in connection with the death of Manu Brown, who was run over by a car while lying in the street outside his home across from park.

Investigators said that the suspects admitted beating the victim and leaving him in the street, but that the suspects insisted Brown was conscious when they left.

Witnesses sought in H-1 shooting

Authorities are looking for witnesses to an apparent road rage shooting Saturday on the H-1 Freeway that left a woman hospitalized.

The shooting occurred in eastbound traffic near the Kalihi Street overpass at 10:30 p.m.

A maroon Ford Explorer, driven by a 22-year-old woman, was involved in a traffic incident with a black auto, possibly a four-door SUV or a van. The black auto then pulled alongside the passenger side of the Explorer. A Caucasian male in the right rear seat of the black auto fired a handgun.

There were three men in the black auto. The driver wore a black cap and black shirt. His front-seat passenger had blond hair; the rear passenger had blond hair and a black shirt.

Anyone with information may call Detective Kevin Wong at 529-3079, CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.