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Man arrested after scuffle that lead to Waikiki security guard's death


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POSTED: Friday, January 29, 2010

 Police have arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with a scuffle at DFS Galleria Waikiki that ended with the death of a 46-year-old security guard.

A DFS Galleria spokeswoman identified the victim as Frank Rodrigues, a security guard who worked for the company for 18 years.

DFS spokeswoman Sharon Weiner would not comment on the incident because of the ongoing police investigation.

“;We are all very sad,”; she said. “;He was a great guy and well-liked by everybody here. We will all miss him, and our hearts go out to his family for sure.”;

Honolulu police spokeswoman Michelle Yu said Rodrigues was hurt shortly after 9 a.m. as a theft suspect was being detained.

“;There was a scuffle, and an employee ended up being transported to the hospital and later expired,”; she said.

Rodrigues and the 27-year-old suspect, who has no local address, were both taken to the hospital, Yu said.

Police arrested the younger man and opened a case of second-degree theft and third-degree assault. She didn't have any details on how Rodrigues was hurt.

Further charges will depend on the outcome of an autopsy report, Yu said.

Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, said paramedics responded at 9:20 a.m. to or near DFS at 330 Royal Hawaiian Ave. and took a man in his 40s to the hospital in critical condition. The man died there shortly afterwards, Cheplic said.