Police received a tip that Helenamae Lynne Pang, 20, and Hawai'i Community Correctional Center escapee Winston Hoapili, 31, were in the Keaukaha area and spotted the pair riding in a Mazda pickup truck at about 7 p.m. Pang and Hoapili then kicked the driver out of the truck and sped away, police said.

South Hilo patrol officers chased the truck along Kalaniana'ole and Kamehameha avenues from the Hilo Pier area to Waianuenue Avenue when the pursuit was called off for safety reasons.

The truck was later recovered in Papa'ikou.

Police said Pang helped Hoapili escape from two armed guards Friday while on his way to a doctor's appointment at Ponahawai Medical Clinic a few blocks from the jail. She allegedly was waiting for him in a white Nissan in the clinic parking lot. Hoapili broke from the guards and jumped in the car through an open window. A guard fired a shot at the car as it raced away.

Hoapili is awaiting trial on a variety of felony theft and drug offenses and will face additional charges from his escape. Police said Pang is being sought for conspiracy to commit escape, robbery and car-jacking and for several outstanding warrants.

She is described as 5 feet 4 and about 130 pounds, with a fair complexion, long brown hair and hazel eyes. Hoapili is described as 5 feet 11 and about 170 pounds, with long brown hair and brown eyes. He has numerous tattoos on his arms, thighs, chest and back. Police said he is now clean-shaven and frequently wears a knit seaman's cap.

Hoapili has a history of violence and may be armed, police said. They caution residents not to approach the escapee, but to call police instead.