| This story has been corrected. See below. |
Bail bond agent’s license is revoked
The state insurance commissioner revoked the license of the owner of a Hawaii bail bond agent who failed to pay bail forfeiture judgments, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs said in a news release.
Ida Pearson Peppers, who operated Freedom Bail Bond, was ordered to cease doing business as a bail bondsman. She was also fined $25,000.
Peppers used fraudulent and dishonest practices and accrued more than $367,000 in six unpaid bail forfeiture judgments, according to the cease-and-desist order.
State insurance laws require insurance producers acting as bail bond agents to satisfy, pay or discharge final nonappealable bail forfeiture within 60 days following notice of entry of judgment.
The state attorney general’s office is investigating and pursuing collection of numerous bail forfeitures by Freedom Bail Bond, the news release said.
Detectives investigate Puna blaze
Hawaii County police are investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed a Puna home Monday morning.
At 9:15 a.m. officers responded to a fire at a three-story house on the 12-7000 block of Akanikolea Street in the Kalapana Seaview Estates subdivision. By the time police officers and firefighters arrived, the house had already burned to the ground.
Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section are investigating and have not ruled out arson, police said.
Kansas man dies in incident off Kaanapali
A tourist died after he was found floating face down in the water off "Black Rock" in Kaanapali, Maui, on Sunday.
Police identified the victim as Ronald Saubers, 55, of Wichita, Kan.
The death was classified as an accident.
Blasting caps found in car force evacuation
Residents in a Kihei neighborhood were allowed back into their homes Monday after being evacuated because blasting caps were found in a stolen rental vehicle abandoned in the area, Maui police said.
The Red Cross helped the displaced residents near the Villas at Kenolio, and police said the blasting caps were secured for proper disposal and residents were allowed back at about 2 p.m. Monday.
Police said the vehicle was reported stolen at noon Sunday at Ahihi Bay in Makena.
It was recovered at about 10:45 p.m. Sunday in Kihei. Police noticed blasting caps in the vehicle and called for explosives experts. A perimeter was set up around the vehicle, and several buildings were evacuated overnight.
CORRECTION
»The state insurance commissioner has revoked the license of Hawaii bail bond agent Ida Pearson Peppers, who operated Freedom Bail Bond, for failure to pay bail forfeiture judgments. A Newswatch brief on Tuesday said the license was suspended.
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