Parents, schools alerted after kidnapping report
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
Officials at Kapolei Middle School yesterday urged parents and students to take safety precautions after a knife-wielding man kidnapped a 12-year-old student from a nearby bus stop on Monday afternoon.
The girl managed to escape unhurt, police said.
"Anytime we get a report like this, we get concerned," said Kapolei Middle School Vice Principal Karen Ueyama. "When it's one of our students, the concern level gets a little higher."
According to police, the Kapolei girl was waiting for a bus around 2:45 p.m. at the corner of Kapolei Parkway and Kama'aha Avenue when a man in a two-door gray vehicle stopped, showed her a knife and told her to get into the vehicle.
For about 15 minutes he drove toward Kapolei High School. Police said he used his knife to cut her belt and bra. When the man stopped at a bus stop, she escaped. The man quickly drove away, police said.
Ueyama said they alerted school staff, students, parents and nearby schools after police informed their school about the kidnapping report on Monday evening. Ueyama said students were told to be vigilant and not to walk alone.
She said e-mail alerts were sent to Kapolei High, Kapolei Elementary, Makakilo Elementary, Mauka Lani Elementary and Barbers Point Elementary.
Ueyama said it was the first time she had heard of a kidnapping report near Kapolei Middle School, which she always thought of as being safe. Kapolei Middle School has 1,400 students, Ueyama said.
Detectives are saying little about the case at this point.
"The case is under investigation," said Detective Letha DeCaires, CrimeStoppers coordinator. "We are putting a lot of resources into it right now. We are taking it very seriously."
Police are investigating the incident for possible kidnapping and attempted sexual assault charges. DeCaires said police may have a sketch of the suspect as early as today.
The man was described as 30 to 40 years old with a husky build.
Anyone with information is asked to call 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
Advertiser Staff Writer Brandon Masuoka contributed to this report.
