Manning indicted in carjacking spree

An Oahu grand jury yesterday indicted one of the suspects in last Thursday’s carjacking spree in Honolulu on robbery and other charges.

Michael Edward Manning Jr., 35, is accused of taking two cars by force from their drivers in East Honolulu, punching one and threatening another with a screwdriver.

Manning was charged with one count of first-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree robbery, being an accomplice to robbery and being a felon in possession of ammunition.

Police said Manning and Mark Ahnee, 28, stole a series of cars Thursday afternoon. They allegedly crashed a Honda Civic near Ainakoa Avenue and Kalanianaole Highway during a police pursuit.

Ahnee and Manning then tried to hijack a truck, said Scott Spallina, deputy prosecutor.

Ahnee pointed a shotgun at the driver; Manning threw a backpack containing shotgun shells into the truck and entered the vehicle, Spallina said. The two assailants ran in different directions after Manning was unable to start the truck, Spallina said.

Police said Ahnee, 28, fired a sawed-off shotgun at officers, who returned fire and fatally wounded him.

Manning, meanwhile, ran into a residential neighborhood bordering Waialae Country Club, assaulted a driver and took his car. Manning allegedly drove east to Kuliouou, where he ran into several parked cars, abandoned the stolen vehicle and stole an SUV by threatening its owner with a screwdriver. Manning allegedly crashed the SUV into a pickup truck in Aina Haina, punched the driver of the pickup and was behind the wheel of the truck when police arrested him.

Clean, eat, enjoy

The Windward Ahupua‘a Alliance needs volunteers to clean up roadside areas at Kawainui Marsh on Saturday for its Earth Day service project. Meet at 7:15 a.m. at All Pool and Spa in the Kapaa Quarry light industrial area. Work until 11:30 a.m. and lunch and entertainment will be provided. Call 247-6366, ext. 1#, or email info@waa-hawaii.org.