Halawa man charged with kidnapping girl

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 24-year-old man who sells snacks out of his apartment unit at a Halawa housing complex was indicted yesterday for allegedly forcing an 11-year-old girl into a bedroom and handcuffing her.

Gabriel K. Bernabe was indicted one day after police charged him with kidnapping the girl. He was released Wednesday night after posting $25,000 and will remain free on bail.

According to an arrest report filed at District Court, the girl told police Bernabe offered to pay her $100 to have sex with him and that when she refused, he allegedly asked "how about $200?" The girl began crying and was released unharmed, the report said.

The indictment eliminates the need for a preliminary hearing on Monday. Bernabe will now be arraigned in Circuit Court for kidnapping at a yet-to-be-determined date, said Jim Fulton of the Honolulu prosecuting attorney's office.

The alleged kidnapping occurred Monday at a Kohomua Street apartment in Pu'uwai Momi housing complex near Aloha Stadium.

The report states the girl went to Bernabe's apartment Monday at 12:30 p.m. to buy soda and candy. She was greeted at the door by Bernabe, who invited her to wait inside the apartment while he went to get her soda. When he returned, the girl alleges that Bernabe asked her to go upstairs with him.

She refused and Bernabe grabbed her right arm and led her up the stairs to his bedroom, the report said. The girl alleges that Bernabe then handcuffed her hands in front of her body and offered her money for sex.

After being freed, the girl said she ran from the apartment and told her mother what happened.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.