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3 credit union workers indicted for embezzling
A federal grand jury has indicted three employees of the HC&S Federal Credit Union's Kahului branch for allegedly embezzling about $297,000 in a check kiting scheme over a four-year period.Head teller Janice Torricer, teller Theresa M. Corpuz and Ivy J. Sanchez, who worked in the loan department, were named in the 40-count indictment filed yesterday in U.S. District Court.
According to the indictment, between May 1997 and about Aug. 15, 2000, the three deposited fraudulent checks into their personal accounts and wrote checks made payable to bogus individuals in amounts they knew exceeded their available balances.
As head teller, Torricer reviewed reports that identified checks drawn on accounts with insufficient funds. Forty checks dated between Aug. 11 and Aug. 15 in amounts ranging from $3,300 to $4,400 make up each count of the indictment.
Calif. man pleads guilty in coral scheme
An Anaheim, Calif., man accused in a conspiracy to take 100 tons of coral and live rock from Hawaiian reefs and ship it to the mainland entered a guilty plea, federal prosecutors in California said.Marc Eberle, 39, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of conspiracy, said U.S. Attorney Alejandro Mayorkas. David Henry, 36, of Downey, Calif., and King Wong, 54, of Honolulu, two other defendants, entered guilty pleas earlier.
Prosecutors said members of the conspiracy violated Hawaii law by swimming out to coral reefs in Kaneohe Bay, where they broke off chunks of reef with hammers from 1996 through mid-1998.
Prosecutors also said that $1 million worth of coral and live rock was packed in boxes labeled as fish or ceramics and sold to aquarium supply businesses on the mainland.
Kauai man arrested for taking green sea turtles
A Kauai man faces accusations of unlawfully taking and possessing four adult green sea turtles, a species on the endangered list.Daniel Isobe, 34, was arrested yesterday on the four counts.
If convicted on the federal charges, Isobe faces a maximum six-month prison term and a fine of up to $5,000 on each count. The arrest followed investigation by the National Marine Fisheries Service, state agencies and Kauai police.
State declares Big Isle free of banana virus
The state Department of Agriculture has declared victory in its two-year effort to eradicate the banana bunchy top virus on the Big Island.In announcing the completion of "Project Eradication" yesterday, the department lifted a ban on planting banana plants in the North Kona area.
Since no chemicals can prevent or cure the virus, more than 175,000 banana plants were destroyed during the eradication program.
The viral disease had posed a major threat to the Big Island's $4 million banana industry, officials said.
Meanwhile, efforts aimed at controlling the banana bunchy top virus continue on Oahu and Kauai. No banana plants are allowed to be transported from the two islands.
Library events mark national reading day
Dr. Seuss, author of "The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs & Ham," celebrates his birthday today. It will be part of the fourth annual Read Across America Day.This year's theme, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" celebrates the joys of reading. Public libraries statewide will host special activities or programs.
The event is sponsored by the National Education Project, the American Library Association and other literacy and youth groups. Local sponsors include the Hawaii State Public Library System, Hawaii Library Foundation and Friends of the Library.
Tomorrow, the Hawaii State Library will host a free celebration in the Edna Allyn Room from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Here's a schedule of events at the state library:
10 a.m.: The Oath of Reading, administered by State Librarian Virginia Lowell
Tomorrow
Some events of interest
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Motorcycle rider killed in Big Isle accident
KAILUA-KONA -- A male motorcyclist was killed in an accident in Kailua-Kona about 12:20 a.m. today, police said.The motorcycle was at the intersection of Kuakini highway and Lako Streets when it was struck by one car, then another, police said.
The motorcyclist died at the scene, police said. His name was not released.
There were no other injuries.
Police arrest woman in attack on husband
Police arrested a Wahiawa woman who allegedly stabbed her husband with a kitchen knife last Friday after her husband reported the incident yesterday.Police said that as the 23-year-old man tried to leave the couple's home after an argument, his wife lunged at him with a kitchen knife. He raised his right arm to block the knife and was cut.
His wife, also 23, dropped the knife and said she was sorry, police said. According to the man, he went to the hospital to be treated and received about 13 stitches but lied about how he received the injuries.
Yesterday, the man reported the incident to police and the woman was arrested.
Armed robbery suspect arrested in Waimalu
A 37-year man, wanted for robberies and a traffic warrant, was arrested last night in Waimalu.Vincent Scanlan, featured in a CrimeStoppers bulletin, is a suspect in a Jan. 3 armed robbery in Pearl City and a Dec. 14 Sand Island robbery, police said. He was arrested at 98-064 Kamehameha Highway by an auto theft unit.
Kailua kitchen burns send two to hospital
A man and woman reportedly burned by hot oil in a Kailua kitchen accident last night went by ambulance to Straub Hospital.Ann Nishida, Straub spokeswoman, said the man, 39, and woman, 40, were in stable condition. The accident occurred at 364 Olomana St.
A ladder company from the Kailua Fire Station responded to the 7:09 p.m. alarm, which eventually was classed as a medical emergency and not a building fire.
Firefighters remained at the address until 7:40 p.m.
Waiawa prison escapee spotted in Waipahu
An escapee from the Waiawa Correctional Facility was spotted on Pupumomi Street in Waipahu yesterday, police said.The escapee, John Edward Nipper Jr., has prior convictions of burglary, terroristic threatening and theft, all committed on Maui, police said.
Nipper walked away from the facility at 94-560 Kamehameha Highway on Feb. 12, prior to a work assignment.
Police say Nipper has family on Maui and may attempt neighbor island travel. Anyone with information may call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or on Maui, 242-6966.
Medical examiner ID's Halawa inmate who died
A 59-year-old man who died at the Halawa infirmary Monday has been identified by medical examiners as Albert Kupihe.Kupihe, an inmate of Halawa prison, was confined in the infirmary for medical reasons.
About 4:50 p.m. Monday, Halawa staff discovered him lying on his bed not breathing, police said.
Kupihe was taken to Pali Momi Medical Center by ambulance and was pronounced dead at 5:47 p.m.
