Suspect charged in robbery of military police officer

A 26-year-old man was charged Tuesday in connection with the armed robbery of a motorcyclist at a Kaneohe gas station that led to a large-scale manhunt in Waimanalo earlier this month.

Jonathan A. Hewett Jr. is being held at Oahu Community Correctional Center on $75,000 bail after being charged with first-degree robbery and four firearms-related counts, at least some of which are felonies.

Hewett is suspected of using a gun to rob a 21-year-old military policeman of his motorcycle July 7 as the serviceman was pumping gas at the Aloha Petroleum’s Likelike station on Kamehameha Highway. The robber abandoned the motorcycle on Kumuhau Street in an agricultural area of Waimanalo and then fled on foot. Police shut down Kumuhau Street for several hours as officers carried out ground and aerial searches of the dense foliage.

Hewett was arrested Monday on charges unrelated to the motorcycle theft. A warrant was issued April 27 for Hewett’s arrest for allegedly violating the terms of his probation.

Online records show he had previously been found guilty of kidnapping and abuse of a family member.

Man pulled from water at Waikiki is hospitalized

A 45-year-old man was in critical condition Tuesday after an apparent near-drowning in Waikiki. Police said the man was pulled out of the water at Waikiki Beach and might have had a heart problem. According to emergency dispatch reports, the man was found face down in the ocean at about 4 p.m. Paramedics took the man to the Queen’s Medical Center.