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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 2:13 p.m., Thursday, February 10, 2005

Big Island police capture escapee

Advertiser Staff

Winston Hoapili

Helenamae Pang
HILO, Hawai'i — Police today captured a Hawai'i Community Correctional Center escapee and his female companion in a raid on a Mauna Kea State Park cabin.

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.