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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff
and wire service
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State probes ahi salmonella case
Health officials are investigating the source of frozen tuna that caused a salmonella infection in an Oahu resident who ate poke purchased at a local market.
It is the 34th case of a rare strain of Salmonella Paratyphi B confirmed since October by the state Department of Health, officials said yesterday.
The department investigation identified imported frozen ahi used to prepare the raw fish dish as a possible source of the illness. Additional cases related to consumption of raw fish in California and Colorado brought the U.S. Food and Drug Administration into the investigation. Earlier this month the FDA found contaminated yellowfin tuna sold by a local distributor who voluntarily recalled 11,000 pounds.
"The Department of Health is concerned about these continuing cases, and with the help of the FDA, we hope to identify the source so we can prevent any further illness," said Dr. Paul Effler, state epidemiologist.
Salmonella, which can be killed by cooking, is a bacteria that causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. It can lead to life-threatening infections in people with weakened immune systems or with poor underlying health.
Man guilty of luring 'child' on Net
A Circuit Court jury found an Oahu man guilty of using an Internet chat room to solicit sex with someone he believed to be a teenage girl.
Ray S. John, 29, faces a mandatory one-year prison term on the charge of first-degree electronic enticement of a child. The felony charge carries a maximum possible sentence of 10 years' imprisonment. He must register as a sexual offender.
John, also known as Steve Williams, communicated online with a police investigator who pretended to be a 13-year-old girl. He arranged to meet her for sex, according to a statement from the state Department of the Attorney General.
He was arrested June 12 at Manoa Marketplace when he arrived for the agreed meeting.
He will be sentenced May 14 by Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario. He was released on $40,000 bail.
John is the latest defendant charged in a continuing investigation by the Hawaii Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The task force's Web site -- www.hicac.com -- has safety tips and other information for parents and children.
Kauai to close beach for cleaning
The County of Kauai will close Hanamaulu Beach park for one month next week to give the heavily used park a much-needed face lift, county officials said.
From Thursday through March 22, county workers plan to trim trees, remove debris, fix roads, replace boulders and re-roof the new pavilion. The park, which is also used frequently by the homeless in the area, will be closed to camping, and the pavilions will be blocked off as well.
There will still be limited access to the beach, county officials said.
"We'd like to get Hanamaulu Beach Park spruced up so that families and community groups can start enjoying the facility again," said Bernard Carvalho, director of the county Department of Parks and Recreation. He added that the county would like the community's help to paint and pick up trash in the area.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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WINDWARD OAHU
Man allegedly hits woman with rock
Police have arrested a 47-year-old man for allegedly assaulting a woman last week.
The incident happened Feb. 5 at the Kailua home where the suspect and 32-year-old woman live, according to police, who said the suspect punched the woman twice and threw a 3-inch-wide rock at her head, causing a half-inch cut.
The woman left the home and had been avoiding the suspect since, police said. She reported the incident to police on Thursday, and the suspect was arrested for investigation of second-degree assault and abuse of a household member.
Suspect gives up in computer theft
Police have arrested a 25-year-old man who allegedly stole a laptop computer from a parked vehicle in Kailua.
At about 5 p.m. Wednesday, the suspect allegedly removed the laptop from a 32-year-old woman's vehicle without permission.
The suspect surrendered himself at the Kailua police station, where he was arrested on suspicion of second-degree theft.
LEEWARD OAHU
Knife threat puts 70-year-old in cell
Police arrested a 70-year-old man for allegedly threatening to kill his wife and daughter with a knife.
At about 7 p.m. Thursday, the suspect and his 70-year-old wife were arguing in their Aiea home, police said. The man allegedly grabbed a kitchen knife and placed his wife in a choke hold, threatening to kill her.
The daughter pushed her father away, but he allegedly threatened to kill her, also. Both victims fled the home and called police.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening.
WAIKIKI
Suspect admits forging check
A 46-year-old man was arrested yesterday for trying to cash a check he allegedly forged after stealing it from an 81-year-old Waikiki man.
Police said the younger man allegedly tried to cash a forged check on Feb. 18, 2006, for more than $300 at a local bank.
The bank had been previously alerted by the older man of the stolen check, so the teller refused to cash the check and the suspect left. The suspect had worked as a handyman for the victim two years ago.
Police discovered the identity of the suspect and learned he had fled the state. A detective learned the suspect had returned to Hawaii, and contacted the man, who turned himself in.
He was arrested on suspicion of second-degree attempted theft, second-degree forgery and four outstanding warrants.
Police said that after interviewing the suspect, he signed a statement acknowledging the forgery and attempted theft.
HONOLULU
Truck rider robs biker at gunpoint
Police are looking for a man in his 20s who robbed at gunpoint a 31-year-old man riding a bicycle Thursday morning at Pearl Harbor Naval Housing.
Police said the bicyclist was making a left turn onto Center Drive from Casey Street when a truck passenger got out holding a handgun.
The bicyclist stopped and the suspect demanded money, police said. The victim complied and gave him his ID holder and money, police said. The suspect fled north on Center Drive. No one was injured and no arrests were made.
