Landlord’s killing brings tenant’s arrest
Hawaii County police arrested a 36-year-old Pahoa man Monday in connection with the apparent murder of his landlord in the Nanawale Estates subdivision in Puna.
Jason Russell Jump was arrested without incident in Pahoa. He was being held in the Hilo police cellblock on suspicion of second-degree murder.
Police identified the victim as James V. Johns, 54. His body was found in his home just after 5 p.m. Sunday. Police earlier Sunday had responded to a report of a disturbance at the home.
Police Lt. Greg Esteban said Johns sustained severe head injuries, and said officers recovered what is believed to be the weapon.
Esteban said Johns was Jump’s landlord and lived in a separate building on the property.
Police made identification through fingerprints, Esteban said. An autopsy is scheduled for today.
Police will confer with prosecutors today to discuss possible charges.
Missing Pearl City man drowned in lake
The body of a man found Dec. 10 in Lake Wilson is that of a 73-year-old Pearl City man who was reported missing Dec. 7, officials said.
The city Medical Examiner’s Office said Friday that Melvin Kunimitsu drowned.
A day after Kunimitsu was reported missing, a gold Toyota Camry sedan that he was reported to have driven was found at the entrance to Wahiawa. Kunimitsu was suffering from a medical condition that might have caused him to become confused and disoriented, police said.
Man seriously injured by zip line accident
A zip line accident Monday morning at Kualoa Ranch sent a man to a hospital in serious condition with a knee injury.
The city’s Emergency Medical Services reported that the man is believed to be in his mid-30s and was taken to the Queen’s Medical Center
The incident happened at 11:30 a.m.
Driver held after death of SUV passenger
Police arrested a man for investigation of drunken driving and other offenses after the SUV he was driving Sunday fatally injured a man in a driveway in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision in Puna.
Beke Robert Jr., 29, of Keaau died at Hilo Medical Center at 3:42 a.m. Sunday, about an hour after he was run over by a 2000 Ford Explorer in a driveway off 29th Avenue, police said.
Puna patrol officers said Robert was a passenger in the SUV that was reversing when Robert fell or jumped from the vehicle and was run over at about 2:40 a.m.
Police arrested the 33-year-old driver on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, no no-fault insurance, inattention to driving and no operator’s license.
