A Wai'anae man who escaped from police custody Saturday while being treated for a medical problem was recaptured yesterday after police went to his home.

The man, 38, was arrested Saturday on a contempt of court warrant and was taken to an area medical facility to be treated for existing injuries unrelated to his apprehension, police said.

They said the man ran from the facility but was grabbed by a police officer, who was then assaulted.

The man broke free and resumed his escape efforts. The officer continued to try to catch the man, but eventually lost sight of him.

Police were investigating another unrelated matter when they found the man at his home yesterday and arrested him on suspicion of first-degree escape and first-degree assault of a law enforcement officer.

Teen arrested in robbery case

A 15-year-old boy was arrested on robbery charges and a 68-year-old woman got her handbag back after a purse-snatching incident in Waikiki yesterday afternoon.

Police said the woman was walking at about 5:30 p.m. when the boy approached her and grabbed the handbag.

After a brief struggle, the boy was able to wrest the bag from the woman and started to run away.

He was chased down by bystanders who witnessed the event and detained the boy until police arrived.

He was arrested on suspicion of second-degree robbery and released pending further investigation.

Auto-theft suspect arrested

A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of car theft at about 8:25 a.m. yesterday after a police officer noticed a car parked in a no-parking zone near Kewalo Street and Wilder Avenue in Makiki.

The officer drove by the car, checked its license plate number and learned that it had been reported stolen.