Big Island police are asking for the public's help in finding a Hawai'i Community Correctional Center inmate who escaped from custody about 12:50 p.m. yesterday after prison guards took him to Kamuela for a court appearance.

Kalani Kaohimaunu, 23, was scheduled to answer to contempt of court and failure to appear charges when he bolted from the South Kohala District Court building.

Police officers assigned to the South Kohala district were joined by state sheriffs, adult corrections officers and the Hawai'i County Fire Department helicopter in a search for Kaohimaunu that was unsuccessful.

He is described as 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Police said Kaohimaunu is considered dangerous and should not be approached.

They are asking anyone with information to call the Kona criminal investigation detail at 326-4646, extension 267.

Calls may also be made to the CrimeStoppers program at 961-8300 in Hilo and 329-8181 in Kona.

Fraud suspect arrested at bank

A 23-year-old man was arrested at the drive-through window of a Kailua bank yesterday after he allegedly tried to cash a fraudulent check.

A bank teller kept the man occupied until police arrived and arrested him on suspicion of forgery and identity theft.

Man flees after Kalihi robbery

Police are on the lookout for a man who robbed the Kamehameha Shopping Center branch of American Savings Bank about 2 p.m. yesterday in Kalihi.

The robber entered the bank, handed a teller a demand note and walked out with an undisclosed amount of money, police said. He was last seen walking toward Long's Drugs.

The robber is estimated to be in his 20s, about 5-foot-7, 150 pounds and having a medium build.

During the robbery, he wore a black baseball cap with the words "doo rag," a "Sean John" pullover sweatshirt with hand warmer pockets, burnt orange oversized pants and dark boots.

Yesterday's bank robbery was the 13th of the year. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call detective James Nobriga directly at 692-4507. Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

Man suspected in car theft caught

Police responding to an argument call about 10 a.m. yesterday on North Vineyard Boulevard arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of car theft and fraudulent use of a license plate.

When the officers arrived, they saw a man sitting next to a green Honda that had its motor running. A check of the license plate on the Honda showed the plate had been reported stolen from another car. A check of the Honda's vehicle identification number showed that the car, too, had been reported stolen.