Posted on: Tuesday, July 6, 2004

Big Island fugitive caught after 6-hour swim in bay

Associated Press

KAILUA, KONA, Hawai'i — In an effort to avoid capture, a man jumped into the ocean and swam for more than six hours before being arrested, Big Island police said.

Edward Ku, 34, of Kealakekua, was picked up Sunday for unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and resisting arrest, they said.

Ku jumped into the water near Keiki Pond and swam toward Kailua Pier, Sgt. Bradley K. Main said. But with officers waiting for him on the pier, Ku continued swimming into Kailua Bay.

Fire-rescue personnel and Navy sailors from the USS Rueben James failed to coax Ku into their boats, he said.

When Ku did come ashore, there was a brief struggle on lava rocks that left Ku and three officers with minor injuries, Main said.

There were two outstanding bench warrants for Ku's arrest for revocation of supervised release and contempt of court.