Police Beat
Advertiser Staff
Bank robbery suspect released
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
A 48-year-old woman who was wanted for questioning in Monday's robbery of the main branch of Bank of Hawai'i was not involved in the robbery, police said yesterday.
Four Hale Koa Hotel groundskeepers and a bystander were treated for smoke inhalation yesterday after they tried to put out a car fire in the military hotel's parking structure on Kalia Road in Waikiki. Three were taken to Kuakini Medical Center for treatment and released. Police and four fire companies responded to the 6:51 a.m. alarm.
Carolyn Gates was arrested yesterday on an unrelated criminal contempt warrant, but an investigation determined she was not the bank robber, police said.
The search continues for a woman who entered the Bank of Hawai'i main branch at 111 S. King St. at 12:40 p.m. on Monday, approached the teller and lifted her shirt to show a handgun. She left with an undisclosed sum of money.
Anyone with information is asked to call detective Taro Nakamura at 529-3392, CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.
Hilo man indicted in threats to mayor
HILO, Hawai'i — A Big Island grand jury has indicted a Hilo man on a charge of threatening Mayor Harry Kim.
Roy Oshita, 58, of Pukalana Place in Hilo's Waiakea neighborhood, was charged in the indictment Wednesday based on an alleged telephone threat made to Kim's office on Jan. 9, 2001.
A bench warrant has been issued for Oshita, with bail set at $50,000.
Kim said his staff had referred details of the incident to police and that he did not hear the threat. He said he could not recall the details, but others on his staff said the threats were "pretty graphic."
Ke'ehi Lagoon beach reopened
The beach at Ke'ehi Lagoon has been reopened after state officials determined Wednesday that the water quality had returned to acceptable levels after a large sewage spill March 7.
Gary Gill, deputy director for the environment at the state Department of Health, said a water sample analyzed Wednesday for bacterial counts showed "the water has returned to its pre-spill levels."
The city halted the spill into the lagoon last Friday, but not until an estimated 3 million gallons of untreated sewage flowed in over 15 hours. The spill was caused by a rupture in a 36-inch sewer line leading from the Kamehameha Highway pump station to the Sand Island sewage treatment plant.
Brawl leads to four stabbings
Four men were stabbed in a fight outside the University Bowl-O-Drome at 820 Isenberg St. on Wednesday night, but police lack testimony to make any arrests.
Police said a group of men started arguing over a pool game at about 11 p.m. The brawl ended up in the bowling alley parking lot. Four men, ages 31, 30, 25 and 22, were treated for stab wounds, police said.
Detectives are investigating a potential count of first-degree assault for the most serious stabbing and three counts of second-degree assault, but said nobody has been located to provide testimony.
Man spots wife's stolen vehicle
A man who happened to spot his wife's car being driven Wednesday helped police nab a suspect in the theft.
The man was at work when he saw a green Toyota Camry on Kalakaua Avenue. He recognized it as his wife's and called police. A patrol officer spotted the car, but lost sight of it. When the car was found parked on Pualani Way and Paoakalani Street, police were able to locate the driver, identify him as the suspected thief and arrest him.
Man arrested in assault at club
A 19-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly striking a man who his sister said had fondled her.
Police said the men were leaving World Cafe about 3 a.m. March 2 when the sister said she'd been fondled by a 23-year-old man, according to the police report. The brother hit the man in the head several times, the report said. He was later treated for a fractured skull.
The brother was arrested Wednesday and is being investigated for possible second-degree assault charges.
Motorcyclist killed in crash
A 29-year-old Hilo man died Wednesday night after his motorcycle hit a pickup truck at the intersection of Waianuenue Avenue and Ululani Street in Hilo. The victim was identified as John Lapinid of Terrace Drive.
Lapinid's motorcycle hit the truck's front fender and windshield, throwing him onto the road. He was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he died at 7:15 p.m.
Traffic investigators have opened a negligent homicide case and ordered an autopsy.
Thieves take off with van-cam sign
Thieves were a bit too speedy for the speed van during Wednesday's afternoon traffic rush in Wai'anae.
The crew manning the traffic-cam van at Ma'ili Point said thieves absconded with a sign posted nearby on the makai shoulder of Farrington Highway. The sign was taken between 3:15 and 5 p.m.
Servicemen's records taken
Police are seeking tips in a burglary and identity theft at the Salt Lake home of four military men deployed to the Middle East.
The burglary at 1768 Ala Mahamoe St. happened between Nov. 17 and Dec. 17 during the men's deployment, police said.
The victims discovered later that their home had been ransacked and that burglars had taken computer equipment, a stereo and their military information and files.
Three of the four men found their bank accounts had been depleted because of the records theft, police said, and the burglars also attempted to open new lines of credit using the information.
Detectives are pursuing leads that one burglar is a woman named Tasha. Another is a man in his 20s who fabricated a driver's license using one of the victim's personal information. He is described as 6-feet-1, 225 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jeff Richards at 529-3829; anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
