Police suspect teen
in 2 violent burglariesThe accused shooter
may also have struck
a Keeaumoku resident
Honolulu police are investigating whether a 17-year-old suspect who allegedly shot a Punchbowl man during a burglary last week also assaulted a 57-year-old woman in her apartment several days earlier.
Police charged Miti Maugaotega with attempted murder, robbery and burglary along with firearm and drug offenses after he allegedly shot 43-year-old Eric Kawamoto at Kawamoto's Puowaina Drive home on Thursday. Police say Kawamoto surprised Maugaotega as he was burglarizing the home.
Police are investigating whether Maugaotega was involved in a similar burglary on Kanunu Street off of Keeaumoku Street on June 23, a police source close to the investigation said yesterday.
The suspect in that case allegedly entered the victim's apartment while she was sleeping and was going through her dresser drawers when she woke up.
The police source said the suspect then pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded money. However, when the suspect left the room to search another part of the apartment, the victim ran out the front door.
The victim told police the suspect caught her in the apartment building's stairwell, struck her on the head with his handgun and left.
Three days later, Maugaotega was caught in a canal behind Hawaii Baptist Academy Elementary Campus on Bates Street less than an hour after Kawamoto was shot.
In the courtyard of the campus, police said they recovered a handgun that they believe was used in the shooting.
The police source said the silver-and-black handgun that was recovered matches the description of the gun used in the Kanunu Street burglary.
Family Court Judge Frances Wong is expected to set a date today for a waiver hearing on the prosecutor's request to try Maugaotega as an adult in the Kawamoto shooting.
According to state laws governing Family Court, the factors considered in deciding whether to waive jurisdiction over a minor include the seriousness of the alleged offense; whether it was committed in an aggressive, violent, premeditated or willful manner; and whether the offense was against persons or property -- with greater weight given to crimes against persons in which someone is injured.
Maugaotega turns 18 in September.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
