Andrew Wanat's (left) sentence at Hale Nani for probation violations was set to end Jan. 13. Robert Carlos Garcia (right) was sentenced for a probation violation. He remains at large.
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One of two Hawaii island prison escapees was caught Friday.
The Department of Public Safety said Hawaii County police caught Hale Nani escapee Andrew Wanat just before noon. He had been on the loose since Wednesday.
Police said officers in Kona responded to a report at 11:50 a.m. that Wanat had been seen on Alapa Street in Kailua-Kona. When approached, police said Wanat tried to run away twice before being taken into custody.
He was arrested on second-degree escape charges and taken to a Kona police cellblock.
The search for escapee Robert Carlos Garcia continues.
The 23-year-old is described as African-American, 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 130 pounds. He has short black hair, brown eyes and has been known to wear a goatee and mustache. He has tattoos on his right forearm and the left side of his neck.
DPS said Wanat and Garcia were missing during a 10:30 p.m. head count Wednesday at the minimum-security facility.
Inmates at Hale Nani are offered reintegration and work release programs. Garcia’s sentence for a probation violation was to end Oct. 2. Wanat’s sentence for probation violations was to end Jan. 13.
Hawaii island residents who have any information on Garcia are asked to call 911 or to contact police detective Clarence Davies at 961-2384 or cdavies@co.hawaii.hi.us, or detective Joel Field at 961-2381 or field@co.hawaii.hi.us.
To remain anonymous, call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.