Kaimuki building evacuated, but suspects not found

Advertiser Staff

Police evacuated residents of a Kaimuki apartment building for about five hours tonight before discovering that suspects in an alleged kidnapping were not inside the building.

Police announced about 10:15 p.m. that no one was inside an apartment at 737 Kaipuu St.

Officers said as many as three men, possibly armed, were inside the apartment after the car of the reported kidnapping victim was found outside. The victim, a 22-year-old man, managed to get away from his captors today, police said.

Dozens of residents of the apartment building were kept outside while SWAT team officers surrounded the building. About 9 p.m. the police robot was deployed up the steps of the two-story walkup.

The man told police he was held in the apartment since Monday following a drug deal that went sour.