Posted on: Friday, April 26, 2002

Police Beat

Fall blamed in death of 70-year-old man

A 70-year-old man who was found Tuesday lying outside a Salt Lake apartment building with head injuries died Wednesday night.

Officials believe his death was accidental.

The injuries were found to be the result of a fall, said Susan Siu, chief investigator at the Office of the Medical Examiner.

Neighbors found the man about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in an Ala Napunani Street driveway, police said. He was taken in critical condition to the Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center, where he died at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Shoplifter slugs store owner

Police said a 35-year-old man was arrested Wednesday after he stole merchandise from a Kapahulu shop at 2:20 p.m. and assaulted the store owner who tried to retrieve it.

What started as shoplifting became a robbery when the man punched the 50-year-old owner of the Aloha Mini Mart in the face. Witnesses then chased down the suspect and held him until patrols arrived, police said.