UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (7/14/10 1:53 p.m.)
After conferring with prosecutors, Big Island police have released three juveniles pending further investigation of an incident in Na’alehu involving a car theft.
Detectives from the Area II Juvenile Aid Section are continuing the investigation.
MEDIA RELEASE (7/14/10 10:30 a.m.)
Three juveniles are in police custody after using weapons to take control of a vehicle in Ka’u.
A 14-year-old boy, a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy, all who were living at a juvenile therapeutic home in Na’alehu, were heading back to the facility in a Ford Expedition with two female staff workers shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday (July 13) when the Ford stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Mamalahoa Highway and Ka’alaiki Street in Na’alehu. Two of the juveniles held sharp weapons to the throats of the victims, a 29-year-old woman and a 24-year-old women. The women were then forced out of the vehicle, which fled in the Hilo direction.
The 29-year-old woman sustained a minor injury. The other woman was not injured.
Police located the stolen vehicle thanks to tips from the public and arrested the three juveniles in Waikoloa on Wednesday morning.
The 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, first-degree robbery, first-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree assault, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and runaway.
The 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree assault, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and runaway.
The 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, first-degree robbery, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and runaway.
All three are being held at the Kona police station pending a charging decision.
Nice Kids. And now they are back on the street. Look out.