Posted on: Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Theft suspect who fell at UH game in critical condition

By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer

Police yesterday continued to investigate an incident during the University of Hawai'i football game Saturday night at Aloha Stadium in which a man allegedly took a moneybag from one of the vendors and either jumped or fell over a concourse railing, landing on a concrete surface 75 feet below.

Kenny Lum of the Aloha Stadium Authority said the incident occurred on the mauka side of the stadium, near section HH, between 9:30 and 9:50 p.m., near the end of the football game between the Warriors and Northwestern University.

Lum said a man in his 20s or 30s took the moneybag from the vendor and tried to run away with it, but another man who saw the commotion intervened.

The two were seen jostling with each other, and moments later, the theft suspect went over the railing, Lum said.

He said a number of witnesses are waiting to be interviewed by police.

Police said the man remained in critical condition yesterday at The Queen's Medical Center and because of his condition, had not yet been arrested in connection with the case.

If he recovers sufficiently, the man will likely be charged with theft or robbery depending how much force, if any, was used to take the moneybag from the vendor.

Police and stadium officials could not immediately say which vendor was involved or how much money the bag contained.

Reach David Waite at dwaite@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-7412.