Police were called to the park just after midnight and found a man, 31, and woman, 38, who reported hearing the gunshot. The two witnesses then led officers to the suspect, who was found on the beach trying to bury a Winchester rifle, police said.

Police arrested the man on suspicion of first-degree reckless endangering, keeping a firearm in an improper place and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was also arrested for two traffic offenses.

There were no injuries, and charges were pending against the man this morning.

Tip leads to chase, capture

A suspected car thief who was featured in a recent CrimeStoppers alert asking the public to help find him was arrested yesterday afternoon after the CrimeStoppers program received a tip that he was near a convenience store in 'Aiea.

James K. Pickard, 42, was arrested about 5:30 p.m. near 98-115 'Aiea Heights Drive, but not without a struggle. Pickard was wanted on five outstanding contempt of court warrants, with bail totaling more than $90,000 and is also a suspect in one or more car theft cases, police said.

Police said they received a tip that Pickard was near the convenience store, and uniformed and plainclothes officers quickly converged.

When the plainclothes officers identified themselves, Pickard bolted and a foot-chase ensued.

Pickard jumped into the canal that leads to Aiea Shopping Center. A struggle broke out and several officers were needed to subdue Pickard, police said.

One of the officers received minor injuries during the scuffle with Pickard, who was armed with a metal punch at the time of his arrest.

He was arrested for suspicion of car theft, resisting arrests and five contempt of court warrants.