Fleeing man allegedly rams HPD cars

Police arrested a homeless man whom they said tried to evade officers by ramming his truck against two police cars yesterday morning near Waimalu Plaza Shopping Center.

Officers got a tip that a person with an outstanding warrant was in a truck parked outside the shopping center at 98-1277 Kaahumanu St.

When patrol officers woke him up just before 2 a.m., he climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine, police said. In an attempt to flee, he rammed police cars parked to the front and back of his vehicle, endangering the lives of five officers, said homicide Detective Bill Kato.

The officers eventually managed to pin the truck in and arrest the 47-year-old suspect, Kato said. Drugs and drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle, a police report said. The man was living out of the car, he said.

Also arrested was a female passenger, 28, on suspicion of contempt, promotion of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia. She also has no permanent address.

The suspect was injured during the incident. An Emergency Medical Services spokesman said an ambulance took the man in serious condition to a hospital.

House fire does $248,000 in damage

Big Island firefighters battled a fire at a two-story home at 39-3362 Hana Kaluna Camp Road in Laupahoehoe on Thursday.

The fire was reported at 4:28 p.m. and was fully involved when firefighters arrived. The fire was under control at 5:20 p.m. and extinguished at 6:30 p.m., officials said. Damage is estimated at $248,000 to the structure and contents. The cause is under investigation.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Pakalolo guru is denied bail

The Hawaii Cannabis Ministry’s founder, who federal authorities claim is a major marijuana distributor, was ordered yesterday to remain behind bars while he fights the allegations.

U.S. District Judge Alan Kay agreed with prosecutors that Roger Christie should not be released on bail or to a halfway house because he remains a danger to the community.

With Christie sitting motionless in a white jumpsuit, Kay noted he allegedly continued operating his marijuana ministry after federal authorities searched his Big Island home and office in March and confiscated cannabis.

A second search on July 8 allegedly found marijuana again at Christie’s house, Kay said.

Man sought in card theft

Big Island police are asking for the public’s help to identify a man who used a stolen credit card.

The card was taken in a burglary at a dorm room on West Lanikaula Street in Hilo on May 8, police said. A surveillance camera captured an image of the man who used the card.

Police ask anyone who recognizes the person in the photo to call Detective John Rodrigues at 961-2382, police at 935-3311, CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.