Car thief kidnaps
blind woman who
was in vehicleShe is freed several blocks away
By Rod Ohira
Star-BulletinPolice are searching for a man with a bold, unconventional approach to stealing cars.
He doesn't bother breaking into them.
Shortly after noon last Tuesday, at a Handi Pantry store at 92-585-A Makakilo Drive, the male jumped into a red Nissan that was parked with a 65-year-old woman inside and drove off.
The woman, who is legally blind, was released unharmed several blocks away.
At about 10:30 p.m. Saturday in Manoa, the suspect attempted to kidnap a 71-year-old woman at gunpoint before driving off with her purse and silver Nissan.
Police said the car stolen in Makakilo was involved in the Manoa incident.
A patrol unit spotted the two stolen cars running stop signs on Kamehameha Avenue and Hunnewell Street in Manoa at 10:38 p.m. and pursued them.
A red-haired woman, driving the red stolen car, lost control of the vehicle and spun out near Metcalf Street as the other, silver car sped away.
As the officer approached, the woman reversed the car, rammed the officer's three-wheeler and fled the scene, said Detective Henry Nobriga.
The officer escaped injury.
Police located the red Nissan at 11:30 p.m. in a parking lot on Ahiahi Street in Kalihi. The following day, a cellular telephone belonging to the owner of the car was found in the airport industrial area.
Police are seeking information about the man and his accomplice.
"We're concerned that he's so willing to take someone with him, because now you're talking about having someone as a hostage," Nobriga said.
"Also, what's strange is that the car taken in Makakilo was driven for four days. Normally, when a car is stolen for something other than parts, it's used for a one-time purpose."
The car stolen in Manoa is still missing. The license number is FSC-670.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
