Nuuanu murder suspect
arrested
The 38-year-old was convicted of
another crime last week
Nuuanu business operators and workers expressed relief yesterday that police caught a suspect in the killing of a liquor store owner's husband.
"Good they catch him," said Mi Haeng Yamasaki, an employee at Nuuanu Laundry Service worker, two doors from Nuuanu Liquor & Sundries.
The 38-year-old suspect had been convicted just last week for two counts of harassment and one count of resisting arrest. He was sentenced to one year probation and fined $300.
The suspect was arrested yesterday morning for allegedly attacking Edwin Medeiros at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Nuuanu liquor store, 1627 Nuuanu Ave.
Police said Medeiros, 58, was attempting to get the suspect out of the store after he had become disorderly while trying to buy beer. Medeiros, whose left leg was amputated above the knee, fell after the suspect struck him, according to police.
Medeiros' wife said the suspect tried to push a female customer out of the way because he was in a hurry, according Pam, a clerk at the liquor store who asked that her last name not be used. He began acting belligerently, so Medeiros' wife then told him to get out, she said.
The suspect then "dropped her with a push to the face and stomped her," Pam said. Medeiros then came out and told the suspect to leave, she said.
Pam said Medeiros suffered a blood clot Sunday night, and remained in a coma after surgery. Police said he was taken off life support Thursday.
Acting on a CrimeStoppers tip, plainclothes detectives arrested the suspect yesterday morning at a Honolulu District Court courtroom, where he was present for a harassment case. He was arrested for suspicion of second-degree murder.
The suspect has 23 misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor convictions dating back to 1989. They include five third-degree assaults, four for domestic abuse, two terroristic threatening and two harassment cases, and one conviction each for assaulting police and resisting arrest. Other convicted offenses include traffic misdemeanors and contempt of court.
Customers stopped by to offer condolences at the Nuuanu store yesterday.
Some had attended Medeiros' birthday party two weeks ago.
"These people let me run a tab when I was down and out," said customer Martin Coleman. "They let me buy food when I really needed it."
Coleman said he was 15 minutes too late when he stopped by the store Sunday after the attack.
He criticized police for not patrolling the area more.
"They should sit near these mom-and-pop stores because they're most vulnerable," Coleman said.
Police encourage people to call police whenever there are problems, and to make them aware of drug activity.
Response time to a 911 call often depends on the availability and proximity of officers, according to police.
"If someone is causing a disruption, the best thing is to call the police as soon as possible," said Sgt. Stan Ishii of the Kalihi-Nuuanu district. "Give them what they want. You don't want to upset them and then they act violently."
