Woman facing charges in connection with escape
Hawaii Island police have charged a 40-year-old Mountain View woman who escaped from a minimum security correctional facility Tuesday in Hilo.
At 7:40 p.m. Tuesday, Mary Lolita Santos was charged with second-degree escape. Her bail was set at $10,000.
Around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to the Hale Nani Correctional Facility, located off Highway 11 in Hilo, after receiving a report that at 9:40 a.m., a female inmate scaled a fence and fled on foot from the minimum security facility.
After running along the highway and into the Puna-bound traffic lanes, she stopped a blue van and jumped into the passenger side window, according to police. State correctional officers were able to prevent the van from leaving and were able to take Santos into custody. The van then left the area.
Hawaii County Police Department detectives are looking to interview the van’s driver, who was described as an older Filipino man. He was operating a blue Honda Odyssey van that may have been a taxi, as it was described as having the letters “PUC” on its exterior, according to police.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may know the identity of the driver is asked to contact Detective Norbert Serrao of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2383 or nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us.
Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
Police seek man wanted for theft
Hawaii Island police are asking for the public’s help in locating a 51-year-old man wanted for theft.
Benjamin Fonseca of Hilo is 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 250 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair, according to the Hawaii County Police Department.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Wendall Carter at 961-2378 or wcarter@co.hawaii.hi.us.
Police locate 2 wanted on bench warrants
Big Island police have located 22-year-old Shaylyn Momi Araw who was wanted on five outstanding $50,000 bench warrants.
Hilo resident Bryce D. Feary, 28, turned himself in at the South Hilo police station Wednesday. He was being sought on two outstanding $50,000 bench warrants.
Police seek missing Hilo woman
Hawaii Island police are searching for a 32-year-old Hilo woman who was reported missing.
Malia Pelekane was last seen Saturday in Hilo. She is described as 5-foot-2, 170 pounds with brown eyes and shoulder-length black hair.
Police ask anyone with information on her whereabouts to call the police department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or at 961-8300 in Hilo. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
Oahu soldier killed in Afghanistan crash
HONOLULU — A Hawaii National Guard solider from Kailua, Oahu, has been killed in a plane crash in Afghanistan.
Hawaii National Guard officials said 25-year-old Sgt. Drew Scobie and two others were killed in Friday’s crash of an MC-12 reconnaissance aircraft.
Hawaii News Now reported the military said there is no indication the plane crashed as a result of enemy action. The Department of Defense has not yet released the names of those killed and details about the crash.
Scobie leaves behind a son and a pregnant wife.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported his family traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to greet Scobie’s casket and then returned to Hawaii for a gathering Tuesday at Makapuu Beach, one of his favorite spots.
Environmentalists sue Navy over sonar use
SAN DIEGO — Environ-mental organizations have added the Navy to their lawsuit against the federal government that seeks more measures to protect whales and other marine mammals from the military’s sonar use.
Earthjustice and other organizations announced the addition Wednesday to their lawsuit filed in December against the National Marine Fisheries Service. The lawsuit demands that the service force the Navy to seek alternatives to its five-year plan that will intensify off the California and Hawaii coasts.
Navy officials estimate its activities would have a negligible impact on marine mammal populations.
Environmentalists dispute that. They favor off-limits zones to biologically sensitive areas and want the Navy to avoid training in certain spots seasonally when they are rich in marine life.
Man sought in 2 gas station store robberies
HONOLULU — Honolulu police are looking for a man who was involved in two gas station store robberies that occurred within an hour of each other.
Hawaii News Now said the first robbery occurred early Wednesday morning at a Tesoro gas station on Lawehana Street.
The second robbery occurred at the Aloha Island Mart on the Farrington Highway.
Police said no one was injured in either robbery.
The man is described as being short, wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and white sweatpants, and covering his face with a green handkerchief.
By local and wire sources