Fugitive captured on Hawaii Island following intense, multi-agency search

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Following an intense, multi-agency search by air and over land, authorities on Saturday captured a Hawaii Island fugitive as as he hid out on a remote farm.

The arrest came following a dramatic series of events Friday that left another suspect dead.

The fugitive captured Saturday ― Ronald Kahihikolo ― was found in Kalopa near the 39-mile marker.

Authorities said he’d been hiding out on a farm. He was arrested hours after US Marshals and members of the Fugitive Task Force from Oahu announced they’d joined the search.

Kahihikolo’s connection to a suspect who was fatally shot by police on Friday remains unknown.

But officials told reporters they were looking for Kahihikolo on Friday morning in connection with an attempted murder when they launched two separate pursuits — one for him and one for the other suspect.

That police shooting happened in Kona on Friday when officers pulled over a stolen Chevy Malibu on Palani Road. Authorities said as the car came to a stop, the driver ignored commands and reached for something.

“Fearing for their safety, two officers discharged their duty weapons, striking the driver,” police said.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and police said they recovered guns from the car.

Kahihikolo was allegedly driving a different stolen vehicle ― a white Dodge sedan ― but was last seen fleeing on foot in the Hamakua area before he was captured.

He’d been sought in connection with an attempted murder investigation Tuesday.

Hawaii County Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz said the suspect allegedly shot a woman in the face during a domestic dispute.

Authorities say plainclothes detectives were searching for Kahihikolo on Friday morning when they got information about his whereabouts and that he was linked to the two stolen vehicles.

They say as the police shooting was taking place, authorities saw Kahihikolo fleeing the area.

A subsequent police chase wove its way through several communities and eventually ended on Highway 19 in Hamakua, where police say Kahihikolo fled on foot near a gulch.

Throughout the day, police canvassed the area for the suspect, including by air.

In Hamakua, authorities checked passing cars with guns drawn for any sign of him.

The identity of the suspect killed by police has not been released. “Exactly what the relationship is and how that transpired, we’re still trying to figure that out,” Moszkowicz said.

After the shooting, officers radioed in saying the suspect was a man who appeared to be in his 30s. He was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene.

His 26-year-old passenger sustained minor injuries when the car sped forward across Palani Road following the shooting and crashed in an embankment. She was arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Meanwhile, one detective sustained minor injuries and was given first aid at the scene.

The two detectives who shot the suspect are 25- and 13-year veterans of the department. They’ve been placed on administrative leave during an internal review, which is customary.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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