Police looking for
Kapolei kidnap suspect

A 12-year-old girl says she was abducted
near a middle school but escaped quickly

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By Nelson Daranciang
ndaranciang@starbulletin.com

Police are looking for a man who abducted a 12-year-old girl yesterday at a bus stop in front of Kapolei Middle School.

The girl told police she was waiting for a bus at the corner of Kapolei Parkway and Kamaaha Avenue about 2:45 p.m. when a man in a car showed her a knife and ordered her to get into his vehicle. The man drove the girl toward Kapolei High School and stopped at another bus stop at Maluohai Street where the girl was able to escape, police said.

The girl is a student at Kapolei Middle School.

"We are aware of the incident and are taking precautions," said Karen Ueyama, Kapolei Middle School Vice Principal.

School officials found out about the incident yesterday afternoon. By 6 p.m. they had informed administrators at Kapolei Elementary School and Kapolei High School by e-mail, Ueyama said.

Teachers were told to talk to their students today about safety, Ueyama said.

People in Kapolei today expressed surprise at news of the kidnapping.

Maui Purdy, who lives in Ewa Beach and works in Kapolei, has three children ages 12 to 16.

"It's a great concern," she said. "You never can tell. You can be in what you think is the safest place."

Aurora Barrera became nervous when she heard what happened. She was waiting for the bus at the same stop.

"I've been 30 minutes by myself. If something happened to me nobody would know," she said.

Bonifacio Botanes, who was playing basketball this morning at a nearby playground, said he would be skeptical if his grandchildren came home with a similar story.

"This is the most secure place, well lighted, a lot of people walking around. All you have to do is scream," he said.

Police are taking the report seriously and are investigating the case as a kidnapping and attempted sexual assault, said Letha Decaires, Honolulu Police Detective.

The suspect is described as between 30 and 40 years old with a husky build. He was driving a gray, two-door car, police said.