Suspect held in theft of car with baby inside

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 26-year-old man was arrested yesterday and accused of stealing a car with a 5-month-old infant in the back seat of the vehicle on March 29 in Liliha.

The man was arrested at about 11:40 a.m. near the Kam Bowl on North School Street. He was booked on one count of kidnapping and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.

The man was being held in a police cellblock last night pending charges.

On March 29, a man drove to the Golden Coin bakery on Liliha Street to pick up some food. Police said the man went into the eatery, but left his Honda sedan running with the keys in the ignition.

A man then walked up to the car, got in and began to drive off. A bystander saw what was happening and attempted to stop the car, police said.

Meanwhile, the father heard the commotion and ran out of the bakery and pounded on his car's windows. But the car thief drove off with the baby girl in the back seat.

Police found the abandoned car a few blocks away on Pu'uhue Place about a half-hour after it was stolen. The girl was unharmed and the man remained at large until yesterday.

Police spokesman Capt. Frank Fujii said detectives caught up with the suspect after someone called CrimeStoppers with a tip. Fujii said police were able to identify the man through a fingerprint analysis.

The man was arrested without incident, Fujii said.

Court records show the man pleaded guilty in October 2003 to felony criminal property damage. He was sentenced in March 2004 to 126 days in prison and placed on five years probation, according to court records.

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.