Schools locked down during chase
Two men are sought in a string of crimes that appear related
Police sought two males last night involved in a crime spree that forced the lockdown of two Kahala elementary schools.
The two are suspects in the robbery of six Mililani High School students and Niu Valley car break-in yesterday.
A third suspect, a 16-year-old Mililani boy, was arrested yesterday afternoon at Kahala Mall on suspicion of detaining stolen property, a cell phone allegedly taken in one of the robberies.
The three suspects were spotted at Kahala Mall, and two of them were later seen by Star of the Sea School, near the mall. Police asked officials at that school and nearby Wilson Elementary School to lock down the buildings.
"The concern is one of the suspects may have been armed," said Maj. Mark Nakagawa, of the East Honolulu district. "The safety of the kids is a priority."
Star of the Sea remained in lockdown until 5 p.m., while Wilson reopened earlier.
Police were trying yesterday afternoon to piece together the crimes, which spread across the island.
The three males at Kahala Mall matched the description of the Mililani robbery suspects, who had been driving a vehicle similar to the stolen gray Ford Mustang found at Kahala Mall. The three suspects also matched the description of suspects who fled in a similar vehicle after a Niu Valley car break-in yesterday.
Between 7:15 and 7:55 a.m. yesterday, three males were seen driving a car, getting out, threatening and demanding money and property from students walking to Mililani High School.
The suspects robbed the students, ranging from 13 to 16 years of age, of cell phones and small amounts of cash. One victim had his Fun Factory card taken.
In one case a suspect held his hand under his shirt as if concealing a weapon, but no gun was seen, police said.
The suspects were reportedly older teens or young adults, police said.
Later yesterday, witnesses reported seeing three males breaking into a car in a residential area of Niu Valley, then jumping into a car matching the description of the stolen car.
Police were combing East Honolulu for the car. Sometime around 3 p.m., officers found the gray 2003 Ford Mustang GT at Kahala Mall.
The car, stolen Aug. 21 from Kapolei, was parked near Jamba Juice and had cartoon stickers as well as stick-on lettering on the hood reading "Makakilo Roy2."
Police asked Mililani robbery victims to identify the arrested suspect in a photo lineup last night.
