Police Beat
Advertiser Staff
Firefighter stable after 100-foot fall
A 41-year-old Big Island firefighter who fell 100 feet into a lava tube during a search-and-rescue mission Wednesday remains in critical but stable condition yesterday at The Queen's Medical Center.
Fire Rescue Specialist Brent Matsuda suffered head, rib, pelvis and internal injuries from the fall.
Matsuda's brother, Glenn, said in a written statement that the firefighter "is doing quite well considering his injuries," but is not "out of the woods yet." Glenn Matsuda said his brother is nodding and able to give the shaka sign.
While Brent Matsuda was scheduled to remain in the hospital's critical intensive care unit yesterday, physicians say he is breathing without the help of machines.
Matsuda did not suffer any apparent neurological damage, doctors said.
Beating charge changed to murder
A 41-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the beating death of another man Jan. 28 at Ke'ehi Boat Harbor.
John Herman Fritsch had been charged with attempted murder in connection with the beating of Richard Carl Lamb, 49, but Lamb died Feb. 12 at The Queen's Medical Center and the charge was later amended to second-degree murder.
Two Kailua men linked to escapees
Two Kailua men, ages 23 and 19, were arrested at a Keolu Hills home Thursday on suspicion of first-degree hindering prosecution for allegedly providing transportation to escapees from the Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility on Aug. 31.
The men were later released without charges pending further investigation.
Kulani escapee still at large
Gary Castro, who escaped Tuesday from the Kulani Correctional Facility on the Big Island, is still at large, police said yesterday.
Castro, 38, was discovered to be missing at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Hundreds ticketed in seat-belt sweep
Big Island police issued 344 citations for seat-belt violations during a recent "Click It or Ticket" campaign from Aug. 24 to Sunday in Kona, Hilo and Puna.
Police issued 205 citations for other violations and made five arrests while conducting the crackdown.
Burglar steals police uniforms
Honolulu police are asking the public's help in identifying whoever stole two sets of police uniforms during a break-in a laundry center.
Launderland II at 2043 S. Beretania St., was burglarized between 7 p.m. Thursday and 6:20 a.m. yesterday. The burglar entered through a window and searched for police uniforms. Two complete sets of uniforms with the name "E. KAM" were stolen, as well as two separate pairs of police trousers.
Drivers who are suspicious of the identity of an officer pulling them over should acknowledge the officer's presence, then slowly proceed to the nearest police station or a crowded public area before stopping, police said.
The motorists may also call 911.
Anyone with information about the burglary may call Detective Timothy Donohue at 529-3069 or, anonymously, CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Mo'ili'ili man, 82, reported missing
Honolulu police are seeking information on the whereabouts of Hiroki Sanada, reported missing since Thursday.
Sanada, 82, was last seen leaving his Kuilei Street apartment in Mo'ili'ili at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Sanada recently suffered a heart attack and requires medication. He is 5 feet 3, 130 pounds, with short gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a gray-and-beige striped shirt and a black "HAWAII" baseball cap.
Anyone with information may call Investigator Phil Camero at 529-3394, or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or, on a cellphone, *CRIME.
