About 40 officers had fanned out in the Kalihi area yesterday afternoon, first around Kuhio Park Terrace, then in the Fort Shafter area. The police helicopter hovered above, and police dogs were used.

Police had concentrated part of their search near Meyers Street near Fort Shafter when they received a call that Vesper was on a bicycle about two miles away on Umi Street, said Detective Gary Lahens.

"We converged in the area and the kids showed us where he went to the back of the house and we were able to converge there and arrest him," Lahens said.

Vesper did not give up without a fight.

Jeffrey Omai

Daniel Vesper

Vesper was arrested on two warrants totalling $100,000 and for violating terms of a plea agreement. The two warrants were for criminal property damage and operating a stolen vehicle in connection with a Nov. 20 incident, in which he is accused of ramming a gate and parked car while trying to flee from a private parking lot on Robello Lane in Kalihi.

But Vesper faces more serious charges, including first-degree attempted murder. Police say he ran over Officer Jeffrey "Keahi" Omai Thursday as police tried to arrest him for earlier crimes. Omai was critically injured, but his condition improved yesterday, a police spokeswoman said.

If convicted on the first-degree attempted murder charge he would face a mandatory life term in prison without the possibility of parole.

Police believe Vesper also may have been involved in a Nov. 9 incident in which a man drove a stolen car at another police officer in Kalihi. The car ran over the officer's foot, but he was not seriously injured.

In 1995, Omai co-navigated the voyaging canoe Hokule'a on its 19-day sail to Tahiti, the fastest canoe crossing made yet to the South Pacific island group.

Thompson, among those holding vigil at Omai's hospital bedside, spoke at a news conference yesterday. He said he expects Omai, 35, to recover completely from head and neck injuries and called him a strong, intelligent man.

"I know his will. I've seen it," he said. "I know his strength. It will get him through."

Thompson said he and Omai sailed together most recently on a 10-day trip to Kaua'i and Molo-

ka'i in September aboard the Hokualaka'i.

Thompson is listed as Omai's next of kin for medical emergencies because the officer is not married, has no siblings and his parents are deceased. He has an aunt who is rushing back from Las Vegas to be by his side.

Thompson said Omai has many friends, but he is asking them to not visit for at least the next 24 hours.

"He needs to rest," Thompson said. "We are trying very hard to get him that rest and let the doctors and nurses do what they need to do. He is under sedation, but when I say 'Lift your finger,' and he does so I know he is there."

Thompson said he expects Omai to return to voyaging and be an example for other young people.

"We have to continually look for younger people who really take on the commitment of learning navigation so that it can sustain itself beyond our generation," he said. "Keahi, without doubt, is one of the very outstanding individuals who came forward with everything that it takes and have not just the academic side but the courage to go out to sea. No one is without fear, but he has enormous courage and is able to deal with fear and use it in a positive productive way."

On Thursday, Crime Reduction Unit officers were attempting to arrest Vesper in connection with the Nov. 20 incident. He was also wanted for questioning in two separate assaults against police officers and an armed robbery earlier Thursday at the University of Hawai'i.

The suspect was spotted at Honolulu Community College, but when officers moved in to arrest him, he got into a van and raced toward Omai, running over his lower torso and trapping him briefly underneath, police said.

The motorist then fled, leading police on a pursuit through downtown Honolulu before ditching the van and fleeing on foot in the Punahou area.

According to court records, Vesper pleaded guilty to truck theft charges on April 12 and was sentenced by Circuit Judge Virginia Crandall to five years probation.

As special conditions to his probation, Crandall ordered Vesper to "obtain and maintain substance abuse treatment as directed by your probation officer until clinically discharged" and to obtain mental health treatment as well.

Crandall also ordered Vesper to pay $10,340 restitution at the rate of at least $10 a month to Allstate Insurance Co., which declared the 2001 Toyota Tacoma stolen by Vesper a total loss.

The court file does not say what substances Vesper was believed to be abusing or what mental health issues he may have had at the time.

He was indicted on the truck theft charge in August 2003. When he turned himself in a short time later, he listed his occupation as unemployed mason and said he was living with his mother at her home in Kalihi.

His mother, Lucille Vesper, yesterday said she was "startled" when she heard that police were looking for her son in connection with the incident.

"I don't know his whereabouts," she said yesterday. "I haven't heard from him. I don't know anything that is going on."

The last time she saw him was three weeks ago, Lucille Vesper said, adding that Daniel did not stay in touch with her on a regular basis.

"He is the kindest son that I have. I have three sons. I am just as flabbergasted as everyone else is," she said.

Lucille Vesper said the entire incident has been overblown.

"I really don't want to discuss this," she said. "I think it has been built up really big. All I know is he has been a wonderful son to me. That's all I can say."