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BRUCE IRONS GOES AIRBORNE

ASSOCIATED PRESS In this photo provided by the Association of Surfing Professionals, Bruce Irons of Hawaii won the Fosters Expression Session for boosting the biggest air during the Billabong Pro in Jeffreys Bay off the coast of South Africa yesterday. Irons will face his older brother and defending champion, Andy, in round four today.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

WAIKIKI

Woman says she was robbed and fondled

Honolulu police are looking for a group of men who allegedly robbed and fondled a 20-year-old woman in Waikiki early yesterday.

The victim told police she befriended the suspects at a Waikiki game room and later walked with them to a store when she was tackled by one of the suspects at 3:18 a.m. The suspects allegedly took money from her pockets and ordered the victim to take off her clothes and fondled her.

Police said the victim reported seeing a gun tucked in the waistband of one of the suspects when he ordered her to take off her clothes.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Police seek missing visitor, 41, from Texas

Gilbert Gaedcke: The Texas man was last seen Sunday at the Kalani Honua Retreat

Big Island police were looking for a 41-year-old Texas man who has been missing since Sunday evening.

Police said Gilbert Dewey Gaedcke left the Kalani Honua Retreat at 9:30 p.m. Sunday and has not been seen since. He was reported missing the following morning, and his car was later found at the end of Kalapana Road (Route 130). The keys were found near the car, and there were no signs of foul play in the area, police and fire search crews said.

Gaedcke is 5-foot-9, about 190 pounds with a stocky build and has brown hair and a fair complexion.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Puna police at 966-5835 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Man found floating in ocean likely drowned

A 68-year-old man apparently drowned Wednesday in waters off Kailua-Kona, according to police.

The victim, Cyril Buking of a Honaunau address in South Kona, was found floating face down about 10 feet from the shore. Bystanders pulled him from the water and administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until fire rescue personnel arrive.

The victim was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:48 p.m.

Kauai police nab another drug dealer

For the third time in the past month, Kauai police have arrested an alleged drug trafficker and confiscated thousands of dollars' worth of methamphetamine.

Kauai Police Department officials said they arrested Faith M. Nelson at Lihue Airport last week, and said they confiscated 225 grams, roughly a half-pound, of crystal methamphetamine, with a street value of $35,000, and 12.6 grams of cocaine, worth around $1,200.

Nelson, 32, of Wailua, has been charged with first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nelson is the fourth alleged drug trafficker arrested since mid-June on Kauai, police said. In the three busts, Kauai police confiscated a total of 19 ounces of methamphetamine, more than the Police Department seized in the whole of 2003. Two people were arrested in one of the busts.

A KPD Ice Task Force member said the recent arrests have come directly from tips and complaints from the community, and they urge anyone with information about drug dealing or drug trafficking to Kauai to call 241-1703 or 241-1702. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

LEEWARD OAHU

Officials suspect arson in 150-acre brush fire

Another "suspicious" fire in Leeward Oahu burned about 150 acres and threatened several homes Wednesday night, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane said.

Twelve fire units responded to the blaze at about 6:30 p.m. on Waianae Valley Road near Kaneaki Road.

Kane said a strong offshore breeze initially blew the fire in the direction of some homes, but later, shifting winds sent the blaze toward the mountain. About two dozen firefighters were positioned on Mauna Kuwale ridge to stop the flames from going over the ridge and threatening other homes, Kane said.

Police said flames came close to homes and that several people were evacuated. Kane said there were no reports of injuries or structural damage. Civil defense officers were on the scene.

Firefighters had the blaze under control by 8:30 p.m. but were on the scene for several more hours battling hot spots.

Kane said neighborhood children reported seeing a "beat-up black (Volkswagen) bug" leaving the scene shortly after the fire started. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

WINDWARD OAHU

Man allegedly strikes woman with hammer

Police arrested a 45-year-old Hauula man after he allegedly struck his ex-girlfriend with a claw hammer Monday night.

Kahuku police said the victim, 42, reported coming home from work around 6:30 p.m. and getting into an argument with the suspect. During the argument the suspect allegedly struck the victim in the head with his fist and then hit her several times with a claw hammer. Police said the victim then slashed at the suspect with a piece of broken glass.

The ex-girlfriend refused treatment. The suspect was taken to Castle Medical Center with a 5-inch laceration to his arm. Police arrested the suspect for investigation of second-degree assault.