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Schofield soldier dies in morning run

A Schofield Barracks officer died early Monday morning while running with his unit in a group formation.

The soldier collapsed near 4:30 a.m. near McComb Gate and was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital where he died an hour later.

The Army is withholding the officer's name and unit until his next of kin is notified.

Attorney sentenced for gym locker thefts

A substance abuse counselor and California attorney has been sentenced to five years in prison for possessing and using stolen credit cards and for breaking into and stealing other items from lockers at several 24 Hour Fitness Centers on Oahu.

Clifford Mau, who committed the crimes over 16 days in April 2004, said his actions were the result of drug abuse, according to state Attorney General Mark Bennett.

"This case highlights the serious problem of substance abuse," Bennett said. "An educated attorney, who was also trained to understand the problems of abuse and help others with their problems, chose to let drugs control his own life."

Mau pleaded guilty to second and fourth-degree theft, second-degree burglary, credit card theft and identity theft in January.

He was sentenced Monday but allowed to turn himself in next Tuesday to give him time to take care of other legal matters.

Mau's co-defendant Larry Mananona also pleaded guilty in January to credit card theft and identity theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced in October.

Organ Donor Center hosts dance, auction

The Organ Donor Center of Hawaii will celebrate "the gift of life" at a dinner dance and silent auction at 6 p.m. Friday at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

Proceeds of the event will support the center's Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program.

The event is being held in observance of National Minority Donor Awareness Day. It highlights the need for minority organ, tissue and eye donors, especially among Filipinos.

For more information, call 599-7630 or 585-3419.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

LEEWARD OAHU

Accident with SUV kills 81-year-old man

An 81-year-old man died from injuries sustained in a car crash on Farrington Highway yesterday.

The accident occurred at 12:20 p.m. on Farrington Highway east of Piliokahi Avenue.

Police said a 20-year-old Waianae man driving a 1998 Chevy Tahoe rear-ended the 1985 Oldsmobile that the victim was riding.

The Oldsmobile driver was stopped on the highway and trying to make a left turn into a driveway.

Police said speed was a possible factor in the collision.

The victim, a back-seat passenger in the Oldsmobile, was taken to Queen's Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 1:14 p.m.

The car driver was a 46-year-old Waianae woman, who was in fair condition. Her front-seat passenger, a 15-year-old girl was in serious but stable condition.

The driver of the Tahoe was not injured.

Police said the victim and the girl were not wearing seat belts.

This was the 54th traffic fatality this year compared with 44 last year.

CENTRAL OAHU

3 brush fires likely set intentionally

Fire officials said they believe three brush fires that began one after the other were intentionally set yesterday.

The first fire started about 11:50 p.m. at Whitmore Village, burning about five acres. The next two fires off Kaukonahua Road began about an hour later. The brush fires were small and took five companies to contain.

NORTH SHORE

1 arrested, 1 sought in alleged robbery

Police arrested one man and are looking for another suspect after they allegedly robbed a victim on the North Shore on Monday morning.

The victim, a 41-year-old man, was asleep in his tent on private property about 4:15 a.m. when the two suspects allegedly assaulted him, threatened to kill him, and took his money and keys. Police said the suspects warned the victim they had a handgun, bound him with duct tape then left.

The victim freed himself and called 911. Officers responding to the scene found one suspect, 32, pretending to be asleep behind the steering wheel of the victim's vehicle. The second suspect was not found.

Police arrested the first suspect for suspicion of second-degree robbery, kidnapping and attempted auto theft.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Phone scam uses fake Canadian lottery

Big Island police are reporting a telephone scam involving a caller who announces that the person answering the phone has won a $3 million sweepstakes from Canada.

Police said the catch is the intended victim must first pay a fee before receiving the "winnings."

"We would like to warn residents not to fall for these scams," said Lt. Randall Medeiros, head of the East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section.

"No legitimate contest organization requires that the winner send in a fee before collecting his or her winnings, and sending any personal financial information is a good way to have your bank account wiped out."