Burned suspect charged in fiery attack
Hawaii County police arrested a South Kona man who allegedly set himself on fire and tried to do the same to an ex-girlfriend on Valentine’s Day.
The suspect, Robert York, 27, of Honaunau, is being held at the Kona police cellblock after being treated for burns. He was charged Thursday night with second-degree attempted murder, kidnapping, abuse and criminal trespassing. His bail was set at $61,250.
The woman, 26, was hurt during a struggle with the suspect but did not require medical attention, police said.
Police said the suspect went to the home of his ex-girlfriend on Tobacco Road in Honaunau, poured a flammable liquid on the front porch and set it on fire at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. The woman climbed out a window of the house, but the suspect caught her and poured the flammable liquid on her and himself, police said.
The woman’s relatives, who live in another house on the property, heard the commotion and pulled the suspect away from the woman. As one of the relatives fought the flames on the porch with a garden hose, the suspect set himself on fire, police said. The relatives helped extinguish the flames on the man, who then ran away. A short time later the suspect called 911 and was taken by ambulance to Kona Community Hospital for treatment of burns.
Motorcyclist hurt in crash on Wilikina Drive
Speed is blamed for a motorcycle crash early Thursday morning that sent a 35-year-old Mililani man to the Queen’s Medical Center in critical condition.
Police said the man, driving a black 2011 Harley-Davidson, lost control of his motorcycle near Schofield Barracks just north of Funston Gate on Wilikina Drive just before 1 a.m.
Police said the man was speeding while traveling north on Wilikina when he hit a concrete barrier and was thrown from the motorcycle. The man was not wearing a helmet, police said. Police closed Wilikina Drive between McNair and McComb gates for about two hours while they investigated the crash.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Suspect held in arson attack
Hawaii County police arrested a man who allegedly set himself on fire and tried to do the same to an ex-girlfriend on Valentine’s Day.
The 27-year-old Honaunau man was being held at the Kona police cellblock after being treated for burns, police said Thursday. He was booked for investigation of abuse, terroristic threatening and arson. The woman, 26, was hurt during a struggle with the suspect but did not require medical attention, police said.
Police said the man went to his ex-girlfriend’s home on Tobacco Road in Honaunau, poured a flammable liquid on the front porch and ignited it at about 1:30 a.m. The woman climbed out a window, but the suspect caught her and poured the liquid on her and himself, police said. The woman’s relatives, who live in another house on the property, heard the commotion and pulled the suspect away. As a relative fought flames on the porch, the suspect set himself on fire, police said.
The relatives helped extinguish the flames on the man, who then ran away. The suspect later called 911 and was taken to Kona Community Hospital for treatment of burns.
Rescuers save man near Lanai
The Maui Fire Department rescued a 45-year-old man Thursday morning after he fell overboard from a 37-foot fishing charter boat near Lanai.
The Coast Guard said personnel in a Fire Department rescue vessel pulled the man from the water at about 8:15 a.m. He was reported missing at 5:28 a.m. in a distress call from the boat about two miles southwest of Lanai. The man’s condition was not immediately available.
