Man wounded by police files lawsuit against city
A man shot by police while reaching into a fanny pack filed a lawsuit yesterday against the city, the Honolulu Police Department, the police chief and Keaka Atkinson, the officer who allegedly fired.Kelly Donnarumma, who was riding a stolen motorcycle, was shot in the neck after a police chase ended at a dirt mound in Mililani Mauka on Jan. 14, 2001.
Police said the officer, thinking Donnarumma was reaching for a gun in the fanny pack, fired one round.
Rather than a gun, the fanny pack contained drugs and more than $1,000 in cash.
The suit alleges Atkinson shot without warning or verbal commands and that Donnarumma's actions never posed any threat to the officer's safety.
"At no time did the plaintiff make any overt or covert threats or gestures to the defendant police officer so as to warrant shooting," the complaint reads.
The suit also alleges an unreasonable degree of force was used.
Donnarumma was charged with theft of the motorcycle and two drug offenses.
The officer, a nine-year veteran of the police force, had been placed on administrative leave, and a standard internal investigation was conducted.
Salvation Army will end 9/11 assistance program
The Salvation Army announced yesterday that its program to help Oahu residents who suffered financially because of the Sept. 11 attacks will end April 30.The organization said it has provided nearly $400,000 to help more than 400 families make their rental and utility payments.
"During the last few weeks, we've seen a significant reduction in the number of people coming to us for assistance," said Maj. Ralph Hood, divisional commander.
After Sept. 11 the Salvation Army received grants from the state and local foundations to respond to the growing need to help those affected by the sudden economic downturn in Hawaii.
Oahu residents who lost employment or had their work hours significantly reduced after the terrorist attacks may be eligible for assistance.
"We have seen people from all walks of life, including janitors, electricians and even business owners, who saw their incomes disappear," said Chad Buchanan, coordinator of the Salvation Army's family services office, which oversees the program. "Without help, many of them might be homeless today."
Oahu court data is now on the Web
The Hawaii state Judiciary has announced that information on civil cases filed after Nov. 15 in the Oahu District Court is now available through its Web site at www.state.hi.us/jud.Previously, only statewide Circuit and Family Court data had been available on the Internet.
When accessing the Judiciary home page, users can click on "Records" and proceed to the Hoohiki records data site.
Users can get information on court appearances, date, time, description, minutes of the hearing and disposition of the case.
|
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. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
CENTRAL OAHU
Man claiming to have gun robs bank in Wahiawa
Honolulu police are looking for the suspect who robbed the Wahiawa branch of American Savings Bank late yesterday morning.Police said the suspect entered the bank at 649 California Ave. at 11:50 a.m., passed a demand note to the teller stating that he was armed, and walked out of the bank with an undisclosed amount of money.
The suspect is described as a 20- to 30-year-old male, about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 2 inches tall, with a husky build and short, curly "ehu" or red-tinged hair. He was last seen wearing a green long-sleeved shirt and dark pants.
The suspect stated that he had a weapon, but no weapon was seen, according to police. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
LEEWARD OAHU
Man allegedly injures girlfriend with beer bottle
A 20-year-old Waianae man was arrested for second-degree assault Thursday for allegedly throwing a beer bottle at his girlfriend, causing a skull fracture.Police said the man and woman, 23, were drinking at a friend's home in Waianae about 1 a.m. when the pair got into an argument. When the woman turned away from the man to leave, police said, he threw a beer bottle, striking the woman in the back of the head.
The man took his girlfriend to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, where X-rays revealed she had a depressed skull fracture. Health center staff called the police, who arrested the man at the facility.
HONOLULU
Police arrest woman who allegedly stabbed boyfriend
A 40-year-old woman was arrested for second-degree assault Wednesday for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend last month during an argument.Police said her 30-year-old boyfriend was trying to stop the woman from using drugs at a residence on Kunawai Lane in Liliha on March 30 when they got into an argument. The woman stabbed her boyfriend in the chest and back and then left the scene, police said.
WAIKIKI
Woman arrested allegedly threw beer bottle in fight
A 24-year-old Makiki woman was arrested for second-degree assault Thursday for allegedly striking another woman in the forehead with a beer bottle during a fight at a Waikiki nightclub.Police said that during a disagreement between two groups of woman at the Cellar at 205 Lewers St. at 2:30 a.m., the suspect allegedly threw a beer bottle at a 21-year-old woman.
The victim received a cut to her forehead. She told police she would seek medical treatment on her own.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Equipment being stolen from Big Island company
HILO >> In the last two months, thieves have stolen tractor tires, rims and other tractor parts valued at more than $5,000 from Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp., police said.Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call police at 935-3311 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.
Puna plagued by people putting rocks in the road
Big Island police are asking for the public's help in finding out who is responsible for throwing stones at passing vehicles this week in Hawaiian Paradise Park.Officers in Puna said they had received several reports of people throwing stones at cars traveling in the area of 24th Avenue on both Makuu and Paradise drives on Wednesday and Thursday, then running away.
Police said the stones damaged several cars, but no injuries were reported.
Police are also seeking information about the identity of vandals who placed large rocks on the Keaau-Pahoa Highway (Route 130) early yesterday, causing several accidents and one injury.
Police said the rocks, ranging in size from that of a softball to a basketball, were placed on a stretch of highway between the Puna rubbish dump and Shower Drive in Hawaiian Paradise Park between 1 and 4 a.m.
Officers removed several rocks, but the vandals apparently returned and placed more on the road., police said. The rocks caused several accidents, damaging five vehicles and injuring one motorist.
Anyone with information about the incidents or the identities of those responsible for either of these incidents is asked to call Puna community police officer Robert Almeida at 966-5835 or the police nonemergency number at 935-3311. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
Suspect shot by officer arrested on parole charge
Hilo police arrested a 28-year-old man yesterday who had been shot by a patrol officer earlier this week. The suspect, identified as Wendell N. Tangaro, had a warrant out for his arrest for violating his parole and is now recovering from a gunshot wound to his upper left torso while under police guard.Police said a South Hilo Patrol officer shot Tangaro Wednesday after responding to a theft in progress at a laundromat on Shipman Street across from the Hilo Armory.
Tangaro had been placed on parole in January 2000 after being convicted of first-degree robbery in April 1996. Police said Tangaro's parole was revoked last month.
