Police investigate suspicious man, item at Verizon building

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Police closed Bishop Street between Beretania and Hotel streets today after a suspicious man with a bag was apprehended at the Verizon Hawaii building.

The police bomb squad and Specialized Services Division were sent to the building following the call about 5 p.m.

HPD assistant chief Boisse Correa said police had been tracking the man after receiving "intelligence" from law enforcement officials in Florida that the man was detained there after being found with components that could be used to make an explosive device.

The man traveled to Arizona, then to Hawai'i, Correa said. Honolulu police were keeping tabs on the man and this afternoon spotted him entering the Verizon building on Bishop Street with a bag that officers deemed suspicious in nature.

Police detained the man inside the building and were checking out the contents of the bag, Correa said.

Bishop Street was reopened at 10:15 tonight.