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Police major promoted to executive bureau

Police Chief Boisse Correa announced several promotions yesterday, which will be effective Sunday.

Maj. Bryan Wauke was named assistant chief of the executive bureau. He will oversee operations of the Community Affairs Section, Emergency Management Command, Civil Defense, Legislative Liaison Office and Media Liaison Office.

Wauke joined the department in 1980, and started as a patrol officer. He was promoted to captain in 1998, serving as captain of the Informational Resources Section and Traffic Division. In 2002, Wauke was promoted to major, and headed the Traffic Division in 2002.

Wauke earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice administration from Wayland Baptist University and graduated from the FBI Academy at Quantico, Va.

Capt. Randal Macadangdang was named major of District 3 (Pearl City, Aiea and Waipahu), replacing Wauke.

Couple fights back over dog seizures

The couple who had 64 dogs seized from their Kahaluu home last month are demanding the immediate return of their animals from the Hawaiian Humane Society.

Three of James and Susan Montgomery's children were also taken into custody Feb. 1 and turned over to state Child Welfare Services. The couple is seeking the return of their children through state Family Court.

Melodie Aduja, the attorney representing James and Susan Montgomery, said the dogs were seized illegally. Aduja delivered a letter to the Humane Society demanding the return of the dogs, an inventory of all animals and items taken and any records regarding the health and upkeep of each animal.

Two puppies that were seized later died. The couple is also demanding necropsies to determine whether their removal within 24 hours of their birth contributed to their deaths.

Humane Society investigators seized the dogs Jan. 29 after state Vector Control inspectors reported finding more than 100 dogs on the Montgomerys' property earlier in the month. The inspectors went there to investigate a report of strong odors coming from the property.

James Montgomery is charged with 55 counts of animal cruelty and is expected to appear in court later this month to answer the charges.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU

Freeway fatality ID'd as Waianae woman

The Medical Examiner's Office has identified the woman who was killed Sunday in a fiery car crash on the Moanalua Freeway as Betsy Brown, 21, of Waianae.

Brown died of smoke inhalation and burns.

Brown was killed on Moanalua Freeway near the Ola Lane overpass after the 2003 four-door Chevrolet Cavalier she was driving struck an impact rail, overturned more than twice, then slid across several lanes.

The car came to rest in the center lane, where it caught fire.

Police said speed appeared to be a factor in the crash. Brown was not wearing a seat belt, police said.

Speed, alcohol factor in H-1 freeway crash

Excessive speed and alcohol use appear to have been factors in an early morning crash yesterday on the H-1 freeway, police said.

A 23-year-old Pearl City man was in critical condition at the Queen's Medical Center yesterday after he was ejected from his car about 2:10 a.m.

The crash took place in the eastbound lanes, about one-tenth of a mile east of the Kalihi Street overpass. Police said the victim was driving a car in the middle lane when he veered right and struck a wall, then veered left and crashed into a center concrete median.

The victim's vehicle was hit again by another vehicle though no mention was made by traffic investigators about any injuries to the driver or passengers of the second vehicle.

The eastbound lanes of the freeway were closed for more than an hour while police investigated.

Police said the driver was not wearing his seat belt, and both air bags were deployed.

2 men arrested for alleged sex assaults

Police arrested two men for allegedly fondling two teenage girls during separate incidents Monday.

The first incident took place at 7 a.m. on a city bus during a ride to school. The 14-year-old victim told the bus driver that the suspect, 37, had fondled her during the ride.

Police charged Robert M. Kamaile of Nanakuli yesterday with three counts of sexual assault and an outstanding warrant for failure to appear for trial in another sexual assault that also took place on a city bus.

Kamaile attempted to flee from the bus, but was detained by the bus driver, police said. Patrol officers arrived and arrested Kamaile at Liliha and Kukui streets.

Bail was set at $50,000.

The second incident took place in Waikiki and involved a 63-year-old homeless man sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female tourist. Police said that at 2:40 p.m., the victim reported being fondled by the suspect at a restaurant on Kalakaua Avenue. The suspect was later located and arrested on suspicion of third-degree sex assault.

LEEWARD OAHU

Alleged purse thief caught after robbery

A purse-snatching suspect tried to escape by jumping into a canal behind Waimalu Elementary School on Monday night.

Police said the suspect, 29, grabbed the purse of a 47-year-old female at the Waimalu Shopping Plaza about 11:45 p.m. and dragged her along the ground as the victim cried for help. The suspect finally wrested the purse away from the victim and ran off.

Police in the area spotted the suspect, and he jumped into the canal to avoid capture. He was caught on the other side of the canal, however, and arrested on suspicion of second-degree robbery.

Police 'bait' car lures 3 suspects on freeway

Pearl City police used a "bait" car to catch three auto theft suspects in Waimalu early yesterday morning.

The bait car was parked by police on the eastbound shoulder of the H-1 freeway after midnight.

Police watching the bait car later noticed a van drive up and three people get out and remove items from the bait car. At that point police units converged on the scene and arrested the suspects, two men, ages 34 and 18, and an 18-year-old woman.

The van the suspects arrived in also turned out to be stolen, according to police. The suspects were arrested for unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and auto theft.

Officer finds suspect with stolen goods

A Kapolei patrol officer recovered property from two different burglaries Monday night after the suspects had some sort of car trouble.

The officer noticed two men in a vehicle that appeared to have a flat tire near Kekuilani Loop and Wahipana Street about 12:30 a.m. When he approached the vehicle, one of the men ran away.

The officer detained the 24-year-old man who stayed behind and, while running an identification check on him, discovered that he had in his possession property from two burglaries that had taken place in the last two hours. The suspect was then arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree burglary.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Big Isle police seek Kapehu Camp man

Big Island police are still seeking the public's help in finding a 19-year-old Kapehu Camp man reported missing since Oct. 29.

Ryan Sturgis disappeared after visiting a relative in Hana Kulana Camp at Ookala in the North Hilo District.

He is Caucasian, about 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 280 to 290 pounds.

Family members were concerned about Sturgis, who has a medical problem that may require treatment. Police said Sturgis may have been seen in the Hilo and Puna areas.

Anyone with information should call Detective Richard Sherlock at 961-2379, police at 935-3311, or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.