Newswatch

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Monday, January 25, 1999

Man pleads not guilty to robbery shooting

One of four men charged in a Jan. 8 robbery and shooting at a Wahiawa convenience store pleaded not guilty today in Circuit Court via closed-circuit video.

Trial for Tomas Quirantes, 20, of Kahuku, is scheduled to begin March 29.

He allegedly demanded money and fought with Paul Fithian, owner of California Market and then shot Fithian's wife, Pok Cha.

Quirantes is charged with first-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree robbery, and two firearms offenses.

Charges have also been filed against three other men, Farrington Governor Santos, 25, of Kalihi; Damien Kaahu, 26, of Hauula; and Roland Ragasa, 32, of Pearl City.

Winds in Hilo damage roofs, down power lines

HILO -- High winds described as a tornado or waterspout damaged two roofs, knocked down power lines and uprooted a breadfruit tree yesterday, fire department and Civil Defense officials said. There were no injuries.

The fire department said "tornado-like winds" caused the damage about 1:15 p.m. at Anela Street in the Waiakea residential area.

Harry Kim of Civil Defense, said the winds also hit nearby Kahaopea Street. He called the event a "waterspout," although both streets are about two miles from the sea. He said his description was based on past experience with waterspouts that move inland.

Schofield troops off to train in Louisiana

The first of some 3,800 soldiers who will be spending most of February in Louisiana for peace enforcement training left yesterday from Hickam Air Force Base.

The deployment will consist of members of the 25th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade, and will be Schofield's largest movement of soldiers since the peacekeeping operations in Haiti in 1995.

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Police, Fire



By Star-Bulletin staff

Two men, juvenile face armed robbery charges

Armed robbery charges are pending against two men and a juvenile who were arrested early yesterday shortly after they attempted to rob a North School Street bakery.

In other news...

No injuries were reported in a fire today that gutted a home at 98-254 Aiea Kai Place. Firefighters, responding to a 9:32 a.m. alarm, had the blaze under control at 9:50 a.m.

Police are investigating a deputy sheriff's complaint that a former girlfriend was extorting money from him. The woman, 32, was arrested Saturday after allegedly trying to force her way into the man's home. The man said the she threatened to file a temporary restraining order which would prohibit him from carrying a firearm.

See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Search] [Info] section for subscription information.