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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 11:46 a.m., Thursday, May 23, 2002

Police Beat

Advertiser Staff

Tax preparer sentenced in theft

A tax preparer who pleaded guilty to second-degree theft for falsifying returns was sentenced yesterday to five years' probation and a $30,000 fine.

Circuit Judge Michael Town also ruled that Vivian Soong, a preparer at RB Tax Service, must pay delinquent taxes by Aug. 15, serve 150 hours of community service and write a letter of apology to the state director of taxation.

Soong had pleaded guilty to six counts and fined $5,000 for each count, payable within one year.

All principal tax return preparers at RB except Soong pleaded guilty in November to multiple felony tax violations. Soong initially entered a not guilty plea at her arraignment but made a plea agreement in February.

Driver arrested following chase

A man driving a stolen truck led Big Island police officers and national park rangers on a chase from Puna to Kona yesterday before he overturned the vehicle and was arrested.

A suspect in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of 22 offenses, including auto theft, felony assaults and traffic violations.

The chase started about 10:40 a.m. when Puna patrol officers received a report that a 1995 Ford Ranger parked at about the 10imile marker of Hawai'i Belt Road had been stolen.

Minutes later, the truck was seen traveling through the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on the highway. Park rangers tried to stop the vehicle, but it continued toward Ka'u, where patrol officers took over the pursuit.

The truck driver ended up in the Kona Paradise area, where he drove onto an unimproved road. About a half-mile from the highway, he lost control of the truck, which struck an embankment and then rolled onto its side.

The driver fled on foot but later was caught and arrested. He was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The suspect was being held in the Kona police cell block. The case has been turned over to Kona detectives.

Boy missing since April 3

Big Island police are looking for a 16-year-old boy who has been missing from his residence in Honoka'a since April 3.

Kayza Kanekoa, 16, has been missing from his Honoka'a home since April 3.

Photo courtesy Hawai'i Police Department

Kayza Kanekoa is of Hawaiian-Chinese descent, 5 feet 3 inches tall, 125 pounds with a slim build, a tan complexion, close-cut brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Peter Kualii of the Hilo Juvenile Aid Section, (808) 961-2373, the police nonemergency telephone number, (808) 935-3311. or Crime Stoppers, (808) 961-8300 in Hilo or (808) 329-8181 in Kona.