Big Island police reported last night that a body was found submerged in a pond near the driveway of a home on Chin Chuck Road. The body was found at about 6:30 p.m. in three feet of murky water after police responded to reports of a missing hiker last seen Wednesday afternoon. No other information was available at press time.

MISSING MAN MAY BE ON KAUA'I

A mentally handicapped Big Island man missing since mid-April may have been seen on Kaua'i last month, and authorities are asking for the help of anyone who might know his whereabouts.

Daniel Desimone, 45, is Caucasian, 5 feet 8 and 170 pounds, brown-haired and balding.

He was reported in late July walking along Ma-luhia Road. A reward is being offered.

Anyone with information is asked to call Hilo police at (808) 935-3311, or Kaua'i police at (808) 241-1711.

MAN CHARGED WITH SEX OFFENSES

A 35-year old Waipahu man was charged Thursday night with four counts of first-degree and eight counts of third-degree sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl. Police said the man had been assaulting the female relative since she was 13. Bail was set at $50,000.