Police Beat

Advertiser Staff

Makakilo man reported found

A 69-year-old Makakilo man reported missing Wednesday was found yesterday in Makakilo.

Michael Basta was last seen Wednesday at about 11:30 a.m. at his Hunekai Street home. Basta has Alzheimer's and may have become confused, police said.

Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Kenison Tejada said firefighters responded to a police call and found Basta at the base of a tree above Makakilo near Makakilo Drive. Firefighters carried him out.

Basta was taken by ambulance to The Queen's Medical Center, where he was listed in guarded condition.

Basta had no obvious injuries, said Dr. Robert Ruggieri, an emergency room physician at Queen's.

Basta's wife thanked Honolulu Police Department detective Phil Camero and Sgt. Lambert Ohia, HPD's helicopter unit and canine detail, the Fire Department, city ambulance service and others for their efforts in finding her husband.

Man arrested in taxi robbery

A 25-year-old man was arrested Wednesday in connection with the June robbery of a taxi driver.

According to police, a 70-year-old taxi driver reported being robbed of money and a cell phone at knifepoint by two men on June 15.

The next day, police arrested a man who had the taxi driver's cell phone.

During an interview with officers, the taxi driver identified the man who was arrested Wednesday.

Firefighters contain Leeward brushfire

Firefighters battled a brush fire on the Leeward Coast early yesterday that scorched almost 300 acres.

Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Kenison Tejada said 13 companies responded to the fire near the Makua Cave at about 12:20 a.m. It took firefighters almost five hours to contain the blaze.

Tejada said crews would monitor the area. No homes were threatened by the fire.