A martial arts instructor accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl killed himself yesterday.

The medical examiner's office said Edward Tiffany, 62, of Nanakuli died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Tiffany was charged Friday with two counts of first-degree sex assault and four counts of third-degree sex assault, which police said allegedly occurred between Dec. 11, 2002 and Jan. 22.

Tiffany was released Friday after posting $40,000 bail. He was scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow at District Court.

Man struck by car in critical condition

A 41-year-old Big Island man struck by a car last night while crossing Henry Street in Kailua-Kona was brought to Honolulu early today and is in critical condition at The Queen's Medical Center.

Meanwhile, a 26-year-old man critically injured in a head-on collision Sunday night in Waimanalo was listed today in guarded condition at Queen's.

Purse-snatching suspect sought

Police are looking for a young, mixed-Asian man with a long ponytail for questioning about a purse-snatching Friday at a bus stop near the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.

The suspect was wearing a blue T-shirt with a Honolulu Fire Department logo and "Rescue" written on the back. Official shirts worn by HFD rescue specialists are red.

A 68-year-old woman visitor and a male friend were seated at a bus stop on Puowaina and Tantalus drives at 1:40 p.m. when the purse-snatching occurred. The victim's friend chased after the suspect and caught up with him. During a struggle for the purse, the suspect allegedly struck and kicked the man repeatedly and then fled on 'Auwaiolima Street.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Taro Nakamura at 529-3382, CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *Crime on a cellular phone.

Secret Service hunts for woman

The U.S. Secret Service is seeking to arrest a 28-year-old woman wanted on three warrants, two for forgery and one for a traffic offense. Christina "Tina" McNeal is also wanted for questioning by federal agents for an on-going identity-theft investigation.

Suspect information is being accepted by Secret Service Special Agent Glen Peterson at 541-1912 and CrimeStoppers, 955-8300.

Crews contain Mililani blaze

Five fire companies today were working on keeping a brush fire off Mililani Cemetery Road near the Waiawa Corrections Facility. "Fortunately, the grass is not dry," said fire department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada. "It's being contained over one acre."

Firefighters have been at the scene since 4 p.m. yesterday.