Police Beat

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Oklahoma police nab Hilo suspect

HILO, Hawai'i — Police in Yukon, Okla., have arrested a 23-year-old as a suspect in a 2003 Hilo robbery and are holding him for extradition to the Big Island.

John Mercado Jr., a former Puna resident, was arrested after police in Oklahoma recognized him in the National Crime Information Center database, according to Hawai'i County police.

Mercado is wanted on a grand jury warrant in connection with a May 23 holdup at the Food Court in Hilo.

Man sought in armed robbery

Honolulu police are searching for a man wanted in a March 31 armed robbery of the Cash In Advance at the Moanalua Shopping Center.

William T. Earheart IV, 23, is wanted on a federal arrest warrant. He is accused of using a pistol to rob a teller at about 10 a.m. March 31.

Earheart has been seen in Pearl City and Waipahu, as well as at Waikiki nightclubs. Police said he should be considered armed and dangerous.

He is described as 5 feet 11, 170 pounds, with strawberry blond hair, green eyes and a fair complexion, well-dressed and very articulate.

Call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular telephone.