1-year-old killed by SUV identified

A 1-year-old boy who died after being struck by a sport utility vehicle in a driveway in Kahaluu was identified yesterday as Ezekiel Estocado of Kaneohe, according to the medical examiner's office.

Estocado died Wednesday from head injuries. The manner of his death was classified as an accident.

Police said Estocado had apparently run into the path of a silver 2003 Chevy Tahoe as a 31-year-old woman was backing the SUV out of a driveway on Ahaolelo Road at about 5:22 p.m.

He was taken to Kahaluu Fire Station and then transported in critical condition to Castle Medical Center, where he died.

Speed and alcohol were not factors in the accident, police said.

The accident happened in a private driveway. Estocado's family declined comment.

Man allegedly beats grandmother

A 49-year-old man with mental issues was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly beat his 85-year-old grandmother into critical condition in Aiea, police said.

At about 6:30 p.m. the man, who is under a doctor's care for psychiatric issues, called 911 after assaulting the woman inside a Kaulainahee Place home, police said.

Police said the woman was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.

The man was booked on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder.

Big Isle police warn of rental scam

Big Island police are warning the public about a scam involving vacation rentals.

The owner of a vacation rental told police that he has been contacted by someone who wanted to rent the property.

The person posing as the renter sent the vacation rental owner a check for more than the rental amount and asked that the balance be sent to another address, police said.

The property owner contacted the bank, which told him the check was bogus.

Police said this is a common scam, and warned the public to be suspicious of anyone who offers to buy or rent something with a check above the asking price and then asks for a refund of the difference.

Bystanders chase robbery suspect

Police arrested a 22-year-old Kalihi man who allegedly robbed a 30-year-old Japanese visitor who was sitting at a bus stop near Ala Moana.

The man came up from behind the woman and allegedly stole her shopping bag and purse at about 3:30 p.m. Monday. The woman's husband and a witness chased the suspect, who dropped his cell phone, police said.

The witness picked up the cell phone and offered the suspect the phone in exchange for the purse, police said.

An off-duty deputy sheriff held the suspect until police arrived.

Police arrested the man on suspicion of second-degree robbery at 1400 Kapiolani Blvd.

Man charged in auto theft case

A 34-year-old man was charged with stealing a 30-year-old woman's car after he climbed in and threatened to kill her earlier this week.

Randy Farinas of Kulaaupuni Street was charged Wednesday with kidnapping, driving a stolen car and terroristic threatening, police said. His bail was set at $50,000.

On Monday Farinas got into the woman's car without her permission, assaulted her and threatened to kill her with a sharp instrument, police said.

The woman escaped, and the man drove off with the car, police said.