Man accused of arson attack

An Oahu grand jury indicted a 37-year-old Chinatown man yesterday on charges he poured and ignited a flammable liquid on an apartment doorstep in a downtown high-rise June 2, injuring a family of four.

Zhan Hang Yu was indicted on charges of first-degree attempted murder, four counts of second-degree attempted murder and first-degree arson.

The grand jury found that Yu tried to kill the four family members who lived at Kukui Tower, 35 N. Kukui St., when he allegedly knocked on the front door of their 26th floor unit, then poured the accelerant under the door and lit it.

During the early morning attack, a 19-year-old man suffered burns to his legs. He and his family members—a 15-year-old boy, a 41-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man—were also taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and minor burns.

Mililani woman arrested, charged in baby's death

Prosecutors charged a Mililani woman yesterday with second-degree murder in the death of a 7-week-old baby boy.

Natalee K. Westbrook, 26, was later released from police custody after posting $150,000 bail.

Authorities said Westbrook is not the mother of the baby, but would not say what her relationship is.

The child was identified by the Medical Examiner's Office as Maika Lawelawe-Westbrook.

Police said the boy's aunt found him unresponsive at 1:44 p.m. May 9, and he was taken by ambulance to a hospital where he died at 4:16 a.m. May 10.

The baby died from abusive head trauma, the Medical Examiner's Office said.

Westbrook was arrested Tuesday.

Gunman shoots at couple parked near Makapuu

Police are looking for a man in his 20s who allegedly fired a gun at a man and woman, both 19, near Makapuu early yesterday.

Police said the couple was sitting in a parked car at 12:10 a.m. near the beach in an area known as “;Baby Makapuu,”; when two men wearing dark clothing walked up to them.

One of the men with a firearm ordered the male driver out of the car, police said. When he refused, the suspect began shooting at the couple, police said. The driver suffered a minor injury, police said, without providing specifics.

The couple then drove off, police said.

Popular Puna beaches targeted by thieves

Big Island police are warning the public about a recent rash of auto thefts and car break-ins at Puna beaches where many tourists go.

Police reported 23 break-ins and 13 auto thefts at the beaches this year. The beaches include Ahalani Beach Park, Pohoiki Beach Park, McKenzie Beach Park and “;Champagne Ponds,”; police said.

Police advise beachgoers to lock their cars and not to leave valuables inside.

Anyone with information about these crimes or suspicious activity is urged to call police at 935-3311 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.

Traffic stop ends in arrest of man for mo-ped theft

A 19-year-old Waianae man who police said was driving a mo-ped recklessly was arrested yesterday after it was discovered the vehicle had been stolen.

An officer stopped the mo-ped at 11:20 a.m. after he spotted the man driving on the shoulder of Farrington Highway in Nanakuli then crossing a solid line, police said.

The officer stopped the driver near Mohihi Street and found the mo-ped was stolen from a rental company on Ala Moana Boulevard.

Police arrested the man for auto theft.