Police Beat

Advertiser Staff

Hawaiian Airlines worker charged

Federal drug enforcement agents have charged an employee of Hawaiian Airlines with possession of crystal methamphetamine with intent to distribute, following an arrest Saturday morning at Honolulu International Airport.

According to the criminal complaint, Daniel K. Aukai checked in to board a Hawaiian flight to Kona when security officers tapped him for a secondary screening. Aukai was arrested when he brought out a glass smoking pipe containing a white residue of what appeared to be illegal drugs from his trouser pocket.

Sheriffs said that after they arrived they found in his pocket 90 grams of a crystalline substance that in a field test was found to be methamphetamine.

Police seek Big Island teen

Big Island police are looking for Stephen Whitney.

Stephen Whitney is also wanted for a probation violation.

Whitney is described as 5 feet 6, about 150 pounds, with tan complexion, short brown hair and brown eyes.

Call the police nonemergency number at 935-3311 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo.

Robber hits bank at Pearlridge

Investigators have opened a second-degree robbery case after a holdup Tuesday afternoon at the Pearlridge branch of American Savings Bank.

The robber approached the teller at 3:10 p.m. and handed over a note demanding money. The man said he had a gun but none was seen, police said.

The suspect is described as between 5 feet 6 and 5 feet 10, of medium build, with shaved black hair, a mustache and goatee, wearing a white T-shirt, dark shorts, white visor and sunglasses.

Man, 19, accused of sex abuse

Charges are pending against a 19-year-old man for allegedly sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl.

The girl told police that the sexual assaults took place between Dec. 1 and Jan. 31 at an Akowai Road residence in Nanakuli. The suspect is believed to be an acquaintance of the girl.

Maui police chief gets strong review

WAILUKU, Maui — Maui County Police Chief Tom Phillips received a high rating in his annual evaluation by the Maui County Police Commission.

The evaluation covering December 2001 to November 2002 found that Phillips exceeded expectations.

"We feel that Maui County is fortunate to have an individual with such high character, moral integrity and ability as Chief Thomas Phillips,'' Commission Chairman Pancho L. Alcon said.

Phillips, 49, who began in the department in 1976 as an undercover drug investigator, was named police chief in July 1998.

Two accused of car break-ins

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Police have arrested two Anahola residents for allegedly breaking into cars, largely on the west side of the island but also in some other areas.

Robert H. Goodwin Jr., 39, and Sunnyjo N. Kauanui, 27, were charged with unlawful entry into motor vehicles.

Assistant Police Chief Gordon Isoda said more than 10 cars were broken into, many at beaches and parks frequented by tourists.

Sports bar burglary suspect arrested

Police said they caught one of two suspected burglars who attempted to break into a safe early Tuesday at Players, a sports bar at 1442 University Ave.

An alarm that sounded at 4:30 a.m. brought officers to the scene where they saw a side door open and two men inside. The men fled and police caught one suspect, 22.

The manager told police the safe's lock was damaged and there were signs of a search.

Maui officer wins skills competition

Maui Police Sgt. Barry Aoki was named winner and champion of the Caswell-ASLET Challenge Cup held in conjunction with the 2003 American Society for Law Enforcement Training Conference.

The shooting competition, held in Ontario, Calif., Jan. 7-1, showcased some of the skills routinely required of law enforcement officers, including physical agility, mental sharpness and shooting proficiency. Aoki achieved a near-perfect target score and a quick running time.