Man, 33, charged in Punahou area assault
A 33-year-old man was being held on $100,000 bail Thursday on charges that he tried to kidnap and sexually assault a woman in the Punahou area early Wednesday before three men went to her aid.
Police said Ferdinand Bermejo, who gave no permanent address, followed a woman on Punahou Street, from South Beretania to Dole streets, at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. He dragged the woman onto the grass at 1508 Punahou St. and pinned her. The woman struggled to get away and screamed for help, police said.
At that point three men from an apartment across the street came to her aid and detained the suspect until police arrived and arrested him.
Bermejo was charged with first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping.
Suspect sought in UH-Hilo robbery attempt
Hawaii County police are looking for a man who tried to rob a 24-year-old female student Tuesday night at the University of Hawaii-Hilo campus.
Police said the man accosted the woman and tried to take items from her. The woman hit the man and he ran away, police said.
The woman suffered minor injuries but declined medical treatment, police said.
The suspect was described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and thin. He wore a black hooded sweatshirt and jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Grant Todd at 961-2385, Detective Joel Field at 961-2381 or the police nonemergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous can call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
Struggle with police ends in man’s arrest
Police arrested a 26-year-old Kapahulu man who allegedly hit two police officers who were trying to subdue him in the Ala Moana area Thursday, police said.
Patrol officers stopped the man at about 5 a.m. at 780 Amana St. for questioning regarding a theft case.
As they were trying to get his identity, the man shoved two officers and allegedly struck them in the struggle. After the arrest, police found he was carrying illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia and a stolen credit card.
He was arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree assault on a police officer, drug offenses, unauthorized possession of personal and confidential information, resisting arrest and two counts of harassment.
Police make arrest in neighbors’ feud
Police arrested a 34-year-old Kalihi man who allegedly threatened a 22-year-old neighbor with a knife Wednesday.
Police said the two men live in the same apartment building and have protective orders against each other.
At about 2:50 p.m. the older man was standing on the third floor with a large knife in his hand when the younger man arrived home. The suspect then ran down the stairs.
The younger man tried to drive away but noticed the man in the roadway chasing after him with knife in hand.
Police officers responded and arrested the suspect on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening and a temporary restraining order violation.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Sexual attack leads to prison
A Maui man described as the ringleader in a physical and sexual attack on a homeless man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
At Scott Garber’s sentencing Wednesday, Judge Rhonda Loo said the 38-year-old victim "suffered tremendously" by being hogtied, tortured and sodomized with items including a tent pole by a group of four in 2009 at a Lahaina homeless encampment.
Garber pleaded no contest to charges of assault, kidnapping and sex assault.
The Maui News reported that he apologized in court, saying that at first he couldn’t remember what happened because he was smoking crystal meth and drinking vodka.
Californian goes missing
Kauai police are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing 41-year-old California man.
Scott Michael Cullinane was last seen at his California home in April. Police said he reportedly flew to Kauai and has not made contact with his family.
Family members reported him missing last month.
Cullinane is described as 6 feet 3 and about 195 pounds, with a medium build. He has blond-gray hair with blue eyes and a fair or light tan complexion, police said.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Kauai police Investigative Services Bureau at 241-1696, police dispatch at 241-1711 or CrimeStoppers at 241-1887.
