Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

Newswatch

Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Saturday, December 2, 2000

Sheraton hotel cook, 39, held in chef's death

A 39-year-old cook is in police custody for the fatal stabbing of the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel's senior executive sous chef yesterday morning.

According to police, the man, who has yet to be charged, confronted his supervisor, chef Thomas Matsuda, 49, at about 9:15 a.m. yesterday over changes in his work schedule.

He then left Matsuda's office, which was in the main kitchen, only to return a few minutes later with a 10-inch kitchen knife, said homicide Lt. William Kato. Matsuda was stabbed once in the abdomen. The suspect was stopped by co-workers, Kato said.

Co-workers also tried to administer first aid to Matsuda, who was pronounced dead at Queen's Medical Center at 10:08 a.m.

Matsuda, who started as a fry cook, had worked at Sheraton for 22 years.

Mainland cops arrest isle man in '86 killing

Police in Port Orchard, Wash., have arrested a 65-year-old fugitive from Hawaii wanted for the murder of a roofing company owner 14 years ago.

Joseph "Binzo" Victorino waived his right to an extradition hearing and has not contested the charges against him for the death of Michael B. Maher Sr. on Nov. 22, 1986.

The Kitsap County sheriff's office picked him up this week on criminal impersonation and possible forgery charges, Det. Jim McDonough said.

Honolulu police will take custody of Victorino, probably within 30 days.

Victorino had taken on the identity of a deceased Hawaii resident, Steven Kalani Ebinger, who passed away in Honolulu in 1993. He used Ebinger's name on a marriage license and also when he was ticketed for speeding.

Advertiser, HNA reach agreement with unions

The Honolulu Advertiser and Hawaii Newspaper Agency unions reached a tentative contract agreement with both companies early this morning.

After 10 months of negotiations, the newspaper agency set a 5 p.m. deadline yesterday to reach a tentative agreement.

Proposed contract changes before last night's negotiations included a pay freeze with three bonuses and changes to the health insurance. The proposal also included a commitment not to lay off any employees and had no changes in the workweek or sick leave.

Hawaii Newspaper Guild Administrative Officer Wayne Cahill had no comment on the negotiations, but said he expects the new contract to be ratified when a vote is scheduled in the next few days.

Tomorrow

Some events of interest

7 p.m. Monday, Waiau District Park: Vision meeting. For information, call 523-4385.

Correction Pono von Holt's name was misspelled in a story yesterday about the National Rodeo Finals. Also, Ponoholo Ranch on the Big Island was spelled incorrectly.

---

Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

Beating suspect holds off police in Halawa area

A man who barricaded himself in a Halawa Heights home was arrested after a 10 1/2-hour standoff after he severely beat his estranged wife, police said.

The woman was sent to Queen's Medical Center with injuries to her head and two broken arms, police said.

The standoff at 99-425 Kekoa Place, which began about 10 p.m. last night, continued until 7:30 a.m. when a police SWAT team entered the residence and the man surrendered without incident.

Last suspect in Nov. 19 crime spree surrenders

Lelauti M. Sakaria, 19, the fourth and last suspect in a robbery and carjacking crime spree on Nov. 19, turned himself in yesterday.

Jason Deere, the other adult indicted in the crime spree, turned himself in Monday at the Kalihi Police Station.

Police had earlier arrested two juveniles, both 17.

The incidents occurred at Jack in the Box in Kalihi, a 7-Eleven in Kailua and a Chevron station in Pearl City.

Fugitive arrested

Police arrested wanted fugitive Warren J. Tang yesterday in Mililani through information received by CrimeStoppers. Tang, charged earlier with keeping a loaded firearm and ammunition in an unlawful place, failed to appear at a probation review hearing.

Big Island Belt Road victim is identified

HILO-- Police have identified the victim of a one-vehicle accident on the Hawaii Belt Road south of Hilo Thursday as Kelvin K. Rodrigues, 48, of Volcano.

Rodrigues' pickup truck ran off the road near Mountain View and hit a utility pole, police said.

Tip leads to capture of Big Isle escapee

KAILUA-KONA -- Acting on an anonymous tip, Kona police captured escapee Raleigh Freitas at an abandoned house in Kaohe, South Kona, at about 7:50 a.m. yesterday, they said.

Freitas, 27, escaped while at Circuit Court in Kealakekua on Nov. 22. Police also found two stolen vehicles at the house, they said. Freitas was charged with escape, burglary and trespassing, and is being held on $125,000 bail.