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Two men were arrested Friday after allegedly crashing a stolen vehicle while trying to flee from officers in the Ala Moana area.
An officer noticed the stolen vehicle about 11:30 p.m. while using a vehicle equipped with an automated license plate reader, which scans license plates for numbers entered into a database.
Police said when officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver, a 38-year-old man, tried to flee and crashed into a parked vehicle and a fixed object, then exited the vehicle and ran.
Police were able to detain the man after a brief foot chase and struggle. The man, who has no local address, sustained minor injuries and was arrested at the intersection of Kalauokalani Way and Makaloa Street for investigation of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, resisting an order to stop, fleeing the scene of an accident, reckless driving, driving without a license and resisting arrest.
Officers subsequently found drugs in the vehicle and arrested the man for investigation of a drug offense, police said. Charges were pending.
The passenger, James Abalos, 36, of Salt Lake, also tried to flee and was arrested on Kalakaua Avenue for investigation of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and carrying a concealed deadly weapon, police said. Abalos was charged with both counts and his bail was set at $4,000.
Woman suspected of Waipahu assault
A 28-year-old woman was arrested for investigation of abuse after she assaulted the father of her child and then her 24-year-old roommate when the woman tried to intervene Friday in Waipahu, police said.
The incident happened about 12:40 a.m.
Police said the woman assaulted the man, 28, in the presence of their young child, elevating the crime from a misdemeanor to a felony.
Officers arrested the woman for investigation of felony abuse and misdemeanor abuse about 1:20 a.m. Friday.
Stubborn ridge fire finally doused
Firefighters returned to a Palolo Valley ridge fire Friday afternoon when it rekindled in an area forested with ironwood trees.
The fire was extinguished at about 5 p.m. Friday, said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Kendall Ching.
The fire, which began Thursday and had been extinguished, rekindled that night. Firefighters stood watch overnight, and returned Friday to put it out.
However, the fire again rekindled at about 3 p.m., and continued to smolder. About 20 fire personnel responded, using hand tools to dig and expose hot spots within the the thick layer of ironwood needles, Ching said.
“If you do water drops only, the water won’t seep all the way down,” he said. The fire could get to dry roots beneath the ground, Ching said.
Firefighters had to hike up the ridge to put out hot spots and a helicopter was used to make water drops.
Pedestrian hurt crossing Keeaumoku
A 73-year-old woman suffered multiple injuries when she was hit by a car while crossing Keeaumoku Street near Walmart just after midnight Friday, Emergency Medical Services reported.
The accident happened at about 12:11 a.m. Paramedics treated the woman and took her to a hospital in serious condition, EMS said.
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