Maui resident reports
third New Year’s bullet
WAILUKU >> A third bullet fired during New Year's in Kahului has been found and reported to Maui police, this one falling about a foot from a man standing in his driveway.
Raymond Vega, who lives on Kealohilani Street, said he was using a water hose to clean his driveway about 12:15 a.m. New Year's Day when he heard a loud bang about a foot from him.
"It was real close," he said. "If I took a step to the right, I would have been killed."
Vega said the bullet, which landed sideways, was the same kind of bullet displayed by another resident in a news photograph.
He said he had been in the military and knew he heard gunshots prior to the bullet landing near him.
Vega, wife Cathy and two sons live at the residence, and there are many children in the neighborhood, he said.
"I'm worried for them," he said.
Two other Kahului residents -- one on Kuualoha Street, the other on Ohaa Street -- have reported to police that they found bullets at their homes after New Year's Eve.
Maui police Sgt. Jamie Becraft said finding the person who fired the shots will be difficult unless authorities receive a tip.
"What we need is for a neighbor to realize how dangerous it is and go ahead and call CrimeStoppers," Becraft said.
Residents may make anonymous calls to the Maui CrimeStoppers Program at 242-6966.