Posted on: Friday, August 23, 2002

Teenagers arrested in Big Island carjacking

Advertiser Staff

Hilo police have arrested two teenagers suspected of a carjacking and leading police on a pursuit through three Big Island districts Wednesday.

The two male suspects are in custody in the Hilo police cellblock pending further investigation.

Big Island police declined to release further details about the case.

The suspects allegedly commandeered a red Kia Wednesday at Mauna Kea State Park, forcing two German tourists, a 23-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman, to drive them to Hilo.

Police say the case started on Saturday, when the two suspects allegedly stole a blue 1991 Honda sedan parked at the Hale Nani Correctional Center in Hilo.

On Wednesday, they allegedly drove the stolen car to the Mauna Lani Resort and crashed into a gate in an attempt to steal another vehicle there.

Police chased them from Kawaihae to Kailua-Kona, where the danger of the pursuit on the winding Hawai'i Belt Road forced officers to give up the chase.

The suspects were arrested after the tourists were carjacked on Wednesday.

Police also recovered several items believed to be stolen.

Big Island police are asking anyone with information on the case to call Detective Greg Esteban at (808) 961-2384. People can also call the police nonemergency number, (808) 935-3311.