Police and Fire

Townhouse fire caused by car engine

Honolulu fire investigators said Tuesday the fire that destroyed three vehicles at a Kaneohe townhouse complex on Monday was caused by a malfunction in the engine compartment of one of the vehicles.

The fire originated with a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck in the parking lot of the Yacht Club Knolls complex on Olina Street.

The fire spread downwind to two SUVs, a Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot, consuming both. Damage was estimated at $15,000 for each vehicle. A Lexus sedan on the other side of the Silverado was also damaged by radiating heat. Damage to that vehicle was estimated at $2,000.

Homeless man held in alleged bus ruckus

Police arrested a 57-year-old homeless man who allegedly threatened people on a city bus Sunday afternoon, including a female bus driver.

Police said the suspect argued with another man on the bus, forcing the 48-year-old bus driver to stop the bus in the Ala Moana area.

The suspect pointed his hand, making gestures with his fingers so that they looked like a gun threatening to kill the bus driver, police said.

Another passenger came to the aid of the driver, and the suspect pulled out what looked like a gun and allegedly threatened the 53-year-old passenger, police said.

The suspect fled when the bus driver called police.

Officers arrested him at 6:33 p.m. at Kapiolani Boulevard and Kamakee Street on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree terroristic threatening, interference with a transit operator and use of a replica gun in the commission of a crime.

Kona man left homeless after blaze

One man was left homeless after a house fire early Tuesday on the Kona coast.

Hawaii County fire officials said the alarm on Telephone Exchange Road in Honaunau was reported at 12:36 a.m. The fire, which completely consumed the home, was extinguished about 5:30 a.m.

The Red Cross in Hawaii County said it assisted a man who was living in the home.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Hilo man charged in carjacking case

An 18-year-old Hilo man was charged Tuesday with second-degree robbery and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle after an alleged carjacking incident in Puna last week.

According to police, Michael Gary Perreira-Thompson and a female acquaintance were hitchhiking at Route 130 and Ainaloa Boulevard on Aug. 30 when they were offered a ride by a 26-year-old Keaau man. The driver took them to the lower portion of Hawaiian Paradise Park at their request.

Police said the driver exited the car, at which point he was allegedly assaulted by Perreira-Thompson, who then got back in the vehicle and drove off with his female acquaintance.

Police later recovered the stolen vehicle, which was abandoned in the same subdivision.

Perreira-Thompson’s bail was set at $35,000.