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Murder suspect Firearms and drug offenses. Auto thefts. Felony thefts.
has 20 previous
convictions
Eric Vance's record ranges
from theft to prostitution
to drugsBy Debra Barayuga
Star-BulletinEric Vance's criminal convictions dating to June 1993 show a pattern of increasing violence. He was charged yesterday in a botched robbery that turned into murder on Christmas Eve.
Just one year after he completed five years' probation for a series of felony and car thefts from late 1993 and 1994, his name has surfaced as one of several suspects in the shooting death of Kaneohe liquor store owner Song Chol Marshall.
Marshall, owner of Angie's Market on Kaneohe Bay Drive, was found dead with a gunshot wound to his head in a trash bin in Waimanalo on Christmas Day. His stolen van was found burned in Mapunapuna.
Vance was expected to make his first District Court appearance today after he was charged yesterday with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, auto theft and two firearms offenses in connection with Marshall's death. Bail has been set at $250,000.According to state records, Vance's 20 convictions include 10 cases of second-degree theft, four auto thefts, two firearm and two drug offenses. He also was convicted of prostitution. He was sentenced for all those convictions in October 1994 and received sentences ranging from 30 days' confinement to a year in jail and five years' probation, all terms to be served concurrently.
The investigation is continuing into five other suspects who were also arrested Tuesday. Police had received information of Vance's whereabouts and staked out a William Henry Road address believed to be the home of his girlfriend just before noon Tuesday. After spotting a Honda that Vance was known to drive parked in the parking lot, police went to the apartment and knocked on the door, according to court documents.
His girlfriend's mother opened the door and told police her husband, son and daughter were at home. She also confirmed that "Kalani" (Vance's nickname) was in a middle bedroom. Vance, according to a police affidavit, apparently did not expect police and walked out of the bedroom, a shocked expression on his face. He was arrested without incident.