Arson suspect returns to hospital

The suspect in a Chinatown apartment fire has been released from custody so that he could be hospitalized, officials said yesterday.

Zhan Hang Yu, 37, has been arrested in connection with first-degree attempted murder and first-degree arson in connection with the fire early Tuesday morning at Kukui Tower, 35 N. Kukui St.

Police said Yu knocked on the door of a 26th-floor unit at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday, poured some unknown flammable liquid under the door and ignited it, causing a 19-year-old man who lives at the apartment to suffer burns to his legs.

Three others, a 15-year-old boy and a man, 48, and woman 41, took cover in a bedroom but suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation. Two others were treated at the scene for smoke exposure.

The building was evacuated.

Yu was also taken to the hospital Tuesday and was treated for burns caused by the accelerant pooling around his legs.

He was arrested on a bench warrant shortly after his release from the hospital. His bail was set at $500,000.

Yu was released from police custody at 11 p.m. Wednesday, and has been hospitalized, officials said.

Fishing equipment stolen from boat

Kona police are investigating the theft of fishing gear worth more than $10,000 from a boat moored at Keauhou Bay.

Police said the theft occurred between 5 p.m. May 29 and 2 p.m. Monday.

Among the items taken are Penn and Shimano brand fishing poles and reels.

Police would not say yesterday whether the boat was a commercial or recreational fishing boat, or give a description of the vessel.

Anyone with information concerning this case is asked to call Officer Jason Smith at 326-4646, ext. 253, or the police nonemergency line at 935-3311.

Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-3800 in Hilo.

Brick allegedly thrown during fight

Police arrested a 28-year-old Pearl City man who allegedly struck his 23-year-old live-in girlfriend in the face and threw a brick at her car as she was driving away.

The couple were arguing at 9 p.m. Tuesday when the man slapped the woman and caused her to fall, police said. As the woman was leaving, the man allegedly threw a brick at her windshield, causing it to shatter, police said.

The man fled, but when he returned home Wednesday morning, he was arrested on suspicion of first-degree criminal property damage and abuse of a household member.

Police nab bank robbery suspect

Police caught a 48-year-old man last night who allegedly robbed a Kaimuki bank yesterday afternoon.

Police said a man walked into Hawaii National Bank on Waialae Avenue at 12:51 p.m. yesterday, approached a bank teller and passed her a note demanding money.

The man left the bank and fled in a waiting taxicab, police said. The man was later identified by means of a photographic lineup.

Police found the man and arrested him in Waikiki before 9 p.m. yesterday on suspicion of second-degree robbery.