A fire last night that investigators say was deliberately set caused about $8,000 damage to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic church at 91-1004 North Road in 'Ewa Beach. The Rev. Scott Bush, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, said the damage is concentrated in the foyer of the church.

Ewa Beach man faces sex charges

A 45-year-old 'Ewa Beach man was arraigned today in District Court on charges of sexually assaulting a teenage girl over two years.

Jimmy A. Thomas was charged yesterday with 12 counts of first-degree sexual assault and 16 counts of third-degree sexual assault. He is being held on $150,000 bail.

Charge filed in attack on driver

A 37-year-old man was charged yesterday in connection with an attack on a city bus driver Saturday near DeSa Field in Kalihi.

Ronald Martinez was charged with interfering in the operation of a public transit vehicle, a felony, and is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.

Police said Martinez ignored the bus driver's order for him to pay and then struck the driver, a 57-year-old man, with a metal-studded belt. Passengers came to the driver's assistance and threw Martinez off the bus.

Martinez was later found by police who had responded to a call of an injured man hiding in brush in the 600 block of Kuakini Street. Martinez was identified by the bus driver as the man who attacked him, police said.

Martinez was treated for minor injuries and arrested.

Suspect held on drug charges

A 33-year-old man was arrested Saturday at a pool hall in the 98-000 block of Kamehameha Highway on suspicion of possessing crystal methamphetamine and drinking in public.

Police had gone to the location at 7:40 p.m. to investigate complaints about illegal activities, said Pearl City police Capt. Randall Macadangdang. Officers said they arrested the 33-year-old man and another man, 34, and that both had open liquor containers.