Police arrest suspect in SUV-attack on officer
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
A week-long manhunt for a suspect in the attempted murder of a police officer ended yesterday when police surrounded a Palolo Avenue apartment and arrested him while he watched TV.
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Police arrested Ronald Lewis Medeiros, 35, at about 10 a.m. at a friend's apartment, said HPD homicide Lt. Bill Kato.
Ronald Lewis Medeiros was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer.
"We went up there and basically we saw him sitting in the house watching TV," Kato said. "We knocked and said, 'Eh, you know.' He saw us: 'We saw you, you might as well come out.' "
Medeiros, who was the only person in the house, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree attempted murder and two counts of auto theft. No drugs or firearms were found, Kato said.
Medeiros had been wanted for questioning after a fracas that began at 6 p.m. Aug. 5 when officers stopped him for a traffic violation at Whitmore Avenue near Uakaniko'o Street.
The car he was driving was found to be stolen. Police said Medeiros, who had been ordered out of the car, got back in and sped away, striking an officer, injuring his right foot and leg.
Following a chase by car and on foot, Medeiros got into the officer's Dodge Durango SUV and drove it at the officer, Kato said. The officer, a 34-year-old man with 11 years of service, fired two or three shots at the vehicle, but Medeiros raced away in the car, blue lights flashing.
Kato said police received a tip that Medeiros was in the Palolo area and an investigation led officers to the apartment. No SWAT officers were needed.
"He was very cooperative," Kato said. "When he saw us come up to the door, he didn't make any covert means of running deeper into the house. He just got up and came to the door."
Police did not know yet how long Medeiros was at the apartment or how he got there.
Kato said police are looking to see whether the apartment owner will face charges for harboring a fugitive.
