Posted at 2:13 p.m., Thursday, February 10, 2005
Big Island police capture escapee
Advertiser Staff
Winston Hoapili |
Helenamae Pang |
Winston Hoapili, 31, and Helenamae Pang, 20, were arrested at 7:30 a.m. by Special Response Team members after police received an anonymous tip about Hoapili's whereabouts. A stolen Toyota pickup truck was recovered, police said.
Hoapili was awaiting trial on theft and drug offenses when he escaped Jan. 28 as corrections officers were escorting him to a doctor's appointment at the Ponahawai Medical Clinic near the jail. He jumped into a waiting car and sped away, allegedly with Pang at the wheel, police said. One of the guards fired a single shot at the vehicle's tires in an attempt to stop the pair.
On Jan. 31, the fugitives were spotted in the Keaukaha area and police gave chase before calling off the pursuit for safety reasons.