One of two Hawaii island prison escapees has been caught.

The Department of Public Safety said Hawaii island police caught Hale Nani escapee Andrew Wanat just before noon. He had been on the loose since Wednesday.

Police said officers in Kona responded to a report at 11:50 a.m. that Wanat had been seen on Alapa Street in Kailua-Kona. When approached, police said Wanat tried to run away twice before being taken into custody. 

He was arrested on second-degree escape charges and taken to a Kona police cellblock.

The search for escapee Robert Carlos Garcia continues.

Garcia, 23, is described as African American, 5’7″ tall, weighing about 130 pounds.  He has short black hair, brown eyes and has been known to wear a goatee and mustache. He has tattoos on his right forearm and the left side of his neck.  

DPS said Wanat and Garcia were discovered missing during a 10:30 p.m. headcount on Wednesday at the minimum security facility. 

Inmates at Hale Nani are offered reintegration and work release programs.

Hawaii island residents are asked to call 911; police detective Clarence Davies at 808-961-2384 (or cdavies@co.hawaii.hi.us); or detective Joel Field at 808-961-2381 (jfield@co.hawaii.hi.us) with any information on Garcia.

To remain anonymous, call CrimeStoppers at 808-961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Calls to CrimeStoppers are not recorded and caller ID is not used so that information may remain confidential.