Police last night arrested a 19-year-old man in the death of his stepfather, whose body was found Nov. 16 in the burned-out bedroom of his 'Ewa Beach home.

Timothy A. Adarna went to the police main station last night at the request of police and was booked at 7:05 p.m. for investigation of second-degree murder and first-degree arson. He was not immediately charged and was being held at the central receiving cellblock.

Neighbors said that shortly before 10 a.m. on the day of the fire, Robert Ramos parked his truck in front of his home at 91-623 Kilipoe Street and ran into the house. Neighbors told police they heard him arguing with someone and saw a man who looked like Adarna come out of the house and ride away on a bicycle. The fire was noticed a short time later.

An accelerant was used to start the 10:07 a.m. fire, investigators said.

An autopsy determined that Ramos, 55, bled to death after being stabbed in the neck and hit on the head and chest with a blunt object. The autopsy report classified the death as a homicide.

Ramos was a self-employed contractor who owned "Make It Beautiful Hawaii."

Adarna has no permanent local address, according to police booking information. On Nov. 17, the day after Ramos' death, Adarna and his mother, Marie Ramos, met briefly with investigators at the main station but he refused to give any statement, according to police.

Adarna's attorney, Howard Luke, is aware of his client's arrest, police said. Luke could not be reached for comment.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.