Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Little League coach pleads innocent to sex assault

A 46-year-old Little League baseball coach pleaded not guilty in Circuit Court yesterday to charges of sexually assaulting one of his former players.

Mark Robinson Heyd of Kaneohe was indicted by an Oahu grand jury on March 21 with two counts of first-degree sexual assault, one count of attempted sexual assault in the first degree, three counts of third-degree sexual assault, kidnapping, and continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14.

The alleged offenses occurred July 10 last year and continued to this month, according to the indictment. Heyd remains free on bail of $100,000.

Kidnapping, sexual assault in the first degree and continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14 are Class A felonies punishable by 20-year prison terms.

Coach accused of growing pot

HILO >> Federal authorities are holding a University of Hawaii-Hilo coach for allegedly growing 63 marijuana plants in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, park officials said.

Laron K. Kortgaard, 45, of Mauna Loa Estates, was arrested March 15 after a three-month surveillance of his alleged plants by park rangers. The arrest was made public yesterday after his indictment in federal court.

Park officials identified Kortgaard as the head tennis coach at the University of Hawaii-Hilo and said he was on parole for a previous heroin conviction. He is being held at Federal Detention Center in Honolulu.

Plants native to Hawaii were destroyed to make room for the marijuana plants, said park Superintendent Jim Martin.

Cayetanos to host Easter open house

Gov. Ben Cayetano and first lady Vicky Cayetano invite the public to join them for their last Easter at Washington Place.

On Sunday, the Cayetanos will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an Easter egg hunt at 11:30 a.m. Activities include tours of the historic residence. Girl Scout volunteers will help with the egg hunt, and Aloha Gourmet Products Inc. will provide special "jelly belly" treats.

Admission is free, but donations of canned goods for the Hawaii Foodbank are welcomed.

Windward Mall to host anti-domestic abuse event

The annual anti-domestic abuse event, "No Excuse for Abuse," will be held April 7, from 12-3 p.m. at the Windward Mall center stage area.

Trained staff from participating anti-domestic violence/ abuse organizations will be there to answer questions and provide resources. They include:

>> Catholic Charities Family Services
>> Hale Ola Windward Spouse Abuse Shelter
>> Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
>> Honolulu Police Department
>> Joint Military Family Abuse Shelter
>> Legal Aid Society of Hawaii
>> Volunteer Legal Services, Hawaii
>> Women in Need

There will be a small table for keiki to color and "Balloon Ministries" will be there to entertain the kids. The group "Pacific Island Praise" will give a performance.

Federal grant will support response to germ attack

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie has announced that Hawaii's Health Department will receive a federal grant to help hospitals respond to a bioterrorism or disease outbreak.

About 20 percent of the $719,356 grant is being made available to the state immediately, with the remaining 80 percent expected to be allocated in May, Abercrombie (D, urban Honolulu) said.

"Last year's anthrax attacks on the mainland show that no community is immune from bioterrorism," he said. "These weapons of mass destruction are among the deadliest ever developed. Unlike conventional military attacks, the first line of defense against bioterrorism is the health professionals in our community."

The funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and will enable Hawaii hospitals to improve their plans and facilities.

The grant was Hawaii's share of a $125 million nationwide total.

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Corrections and clarifications The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Managing Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

CENTRAL OAHU

Mililani man carjacked at gunpoint in Wahiawa

Police have opened a robbery investigation after a 20-year-old Mililani man reported his car was stolen at gunpoint this morning at the Wahiawa 7-Eleven Store.

The man told police he went to the store about 12:20 a.m. to use a pay telephone and left his car's motor running. He told police two men in a vehicle stopped by the store, one man got out and the other drove off. He said the man who got out pointed a handgun at him and then drove off with his car, a silver, two-door 1996 Honda Civic.

HONOLULU

Stolen items found in raid of suspected drug house

Police recovered a motorcycle, two mopeds and other stolen items Wednesday in a raid of a suspected drug house in Kalihi. The other stolen items they recovered include tools, computers and credit cards.

Officers of the Honolulu Police Department's Crime Reduction Unit in Kalihi seized the items after executing a search warrant of 1129-A Coombs Lane at about 6:30 a.m. Police said the items were reported stolen from homes and vehicles from all over Oahu. They believe people may have exchanged the items at the residence for drugs.

Police also seized 0.25 ounce of crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, including pipes and scales. Seven people -- three men and four women, ages 18 to 42 -- were arrested on drug promotion and possession of drug paraphernalia charges.

Police obtained a search warrant after receiving reports from neighbors of drug activity at the residence.

Honolulu man critical after being stabbed

A 36-year-old Honolulu man was in critical condition at the Queen's Medical Center this morning after he was stabbed last night while at the corner of N. Pauahi and River streets.

Police said the man got into a confrontation with a 27-year-old Waipahu woman at about 8:20 p.m.

The woman fled following the stabbing but was later found and arrested on Hotel Street.

Delivery driver robbed of his money and pizza

A pizza delivery driver says two men stole his money and his pizza Wednesday night. According to police the robbery happened at 10:54 p.m. Davenport and Pensacola streets.

Police said the victim was making a delivery when he was confronted and robbed at knifepoint by the two suspects who took his money and the pizza he was delivering. Police said the suspects fled on foot. So far no arrests have been made in this case.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Woman sexually assaulted at beach park in Hilo

Big Island police said a 19-year-old female reported being sexually assaulted yesterday at a beach park in Hilo's Keaukaha area. The victim said the assault took place after an unidentified male picked her up at Leleiwi Beach Park about 10 a.m. and drove her to an unknown beach park in Keaukaha.

The suspect is described as male of an unknown age, being about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 190-200 pounds. The suspect vehicle is described as a older model four-door sedan.

Anyone with information about the incident or the identity of the assailant is asked to call Detective Grace Castillo of the Hilo Juvenile Aid Section at 961-2278 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.