Man arrested in sex-assault case

A 30-year-old Mo'ili'ili man was arrested yesterday in connection with the alleged sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl.

On April 24 the girl’s mother told police her daughter told her that a neighbor sexually assaulted her on several occasions. Yesterday, police arrested the man on suspicion of sexual assault in the first degree.

Toddler drowns in Foster Village

An 18-month-old boy apparently drowned yesterday at a Foster Village swimming pool.

Police said the child was watching television with other children when he disappeared at about 10:45 a.m. Family members found the boy unresponsive in the home's swimming pool, police said.

He was taken to Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi, where he was pronounced dead. The boy's identity was not released yesterday.

Police have classified it as an unattended death. An autopsy will be conducted.

Bank robbery suspect sought

Police yesterday were looking for a man they believe committed two bank robberies in one week — Tuesday at City Bank's Kane'ohe branch and May 26 at the American Savings Kalihi branch.

He was described as 5 feet 9, weighing 190 to 210 pounds, with a tan complexion, bushy haircut and wearing a black T-shirt and jeans.

In Tuesday's robbery, a man who demanded money from a teller was seen fleeing toward Kane'ohe in an older model white Ford truck with a blue stripe driven by an another man.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Brian Johnson at 692-4602. Anonymous calls can be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.

Heart Ball nets a record $650K

The American Heart Association netted a record $650,000 at its 27th annual Heart Ball. The money will pay for heart and stroke research and education.

"This was the most successful Heart Ball event in terms of the amount raised," said Marilyn Gagen, chairman-elect of the Pacific/ Mountain Affiliate of the American Heart Association.

"I credit Mike and Nancy Fisch for their outstanding leadership as co-chairs of this year’s Heart Ball," Gagen said. "They opened doors to new supporters and inspired the many other volunteers who are integral in the year-round work that goes into making this event the premier fund-raiser in Hawai'i."

LEEWARD

Wai'anae fire being studied

Fire investigators yesterday were looking into the cause of a fire that destroyed a vacant Wai'anae Valley home late Tuesday.

The fire in the 1500 block of Wai'anae Valley Road was reported about 9:20 p.m. Firefighters were able to bring it under control a half-hour later.

Damage was estimated at $120,000 to the building and its contents, said fire spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada. He said the cause was under investigation, but neighbors reported hearing voices in or near the home before the fire began.