Mental evaluation ordered for carjacking suspect: Victim gives kudos to Good Samaritan

KAILUA-KONA — A mental evaluation was ordered for a man suspected of a carjacking over the weekend despite the 23-year-old’s strong objections Wednesday afternoon in court.

Derek Hanato told 3rd Circuit Court Per Diem Judge Peter Bresciani that he was “totally fit to proceed.”

“I’m not trying to beat around the bush,” Hanato said. “I want this to be taken care of.”

Hanato is accused of stealing a car from Herbert Mores, 65, of Kailua-Kona, Sunday morning while Mores was cleaning his windshield at the Shell gas station on Kuakini Highway.

According to the Hawaii Police Department, Mores was approached by the suspect, later identified as Hanato, who knocked Mores down and forcibly took his vehicle, injuring Mores in the process. Hanato then reportedly sped off northbound, ran a red light and broadsided an SUV, which was traveling west down Palani Road.

After the collision, the 23-year-old ran from the scene on foot. He was apprehended shortly thereafter by a Good Samaritan near the Honda dealership who kept Hanato at the scene until officers arrived and took him into custody.

Hanato has been charged with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, accident involving bodily injuries, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, second-degree robbery, inattention to driving, second-degree theft, second-degree assault and first-degree criminal property damage.

“I just want to give kudos to that Good Samaritan,” Mores said. “It would’ve been a plain hit and run.”

Damage to Mores’ vehicle is still being appraised. However, on Wednesday, all Mores could think of was how grateful he was to the man who stopped the suspect.

“That’s why Kona still has a sense of community, because people are still willing to do things like that,” he said. “That’s one of the good things we need to keep up in Kona.”

The Good Samaritan, later identified as Sam Alexander, said he was on his way to Kua Bay with his 12-year-old son when he saw the crash occur at the intersection. He knew nothing of the stolen car.

Alexander saw Hanato get out the vehicle and walk away from the scene. Initially, Alexander said he started to pursue Hanato in his truck because he thought he might be injured. He soon realized that wasn’t the case.

As a former paramedic and undercover security guard, Alexander said “you can just recognize criminal behavior.”

As he followed Hanato in his truck along Kuakini Highway, Alexander took his picture.

“I told him: ‘I got your picture, there’s no point in running,’” Alexander said.

It was at that point that Hanato took off through the Honda dealership parking lot. Alexander got out of his truck, told his son to call 911 and pursued the 23-year-old.

Alexander said the suspect ran across the street. He followed. However, Alexander recalled the Kailua-Kona man walking back into the middle of the road and squaring up with him.

“I popped him in the face and dragged him to the ground,” Alexander said.

Alexander added that he held the suspect in a chokehold and pulled him back to the sidewalk. As he dragged Hanato back, Alexander asked if the car was stolen.

The Good Samaritan also asked Hanato if he was on drugs. At that point, Alexander gave Hanato some words of advice.

“Your path to redemption is truth,” Alexander recalled what he said to the suspect. “Being honest is the only way you’re going to deal with this.”

During the whole incident, Alexander recalled a couple walking up to him and asking if he needed help. He also said there were a lot of people standing around watching as the events unfolded.

“We can’t just wait for people to come save us sometimes,” Alexander said.

He added that it’s nice to see people stop.

“When you see something wrong, stand up to it,” Alexander said.

During Wednesday’s court hearing, Deputy Public Defender Rick Macapinlac told the court that based on previous experience with Hanato and the crime, a mental evaluation should be conducted.

“I don’t believe he’s fit to proceed and don’t think he was criminally responsible at the time of the incident,” Macapinlac said.

Bresciani granted the motion. He told Hanato he understood his desire to deal with the situation, however, the issue of the fitness to proceed needed to be resolved.

The judge added he didn’t want to spend time listening to Hanato’s reasons because that is the purpose of the mental evaluation.

Bresciani added he didn’t want Hanato to say things that could be used against him in the court of law.

“I want it used against me,” Hanato said. “I object to that. I don’t think that’s right.”

A fitness to proceed hearing is scheduled for July 18. Bresciani maintained bail at $74,000.