Former fugitive charged in connection with escape attempts
Kenneth Wong
This photo from March 3 shows the accident scene when police said Kenneth Wong, driving a stolen Dodge minivan, ran a red light and struck two other vehicles in an attempt to escape at the intersection of Ward Avenue and Lunalilo Street,.
Police say former fugitive Kenneth Wong was injured on March 6 after jumping from a three-story walkup apartment building in Makiki in an attempt to flee from officers. Police responded to a report of a man attempting to break into an apartment on Davenport Street near Pensacola Avenue when Wong tried to escape by jumping from rooftop to rooftop, according to police.
Honolulu Police arrested Kenneth Wong in this compound in Punaluu at 9:15 a.m. Friday. According to investigators, Wong was spotted in a car with his girlfriend, who lives in an encampment behind Kamehameha Highway on a private lane. When and officer told him to get out of the car, Wong allegedly attempted to flee the area, nearly hitting two officers.
A 34-year-old former fugitive, re-captured on Friday, appeared in District Court this morning on charges of escape, contempt of court, and terroristic threatening for allegedly trying to run over two police officers during his arrest.
Police said Wong tried to escape from authorities four times this month and was successful twice.
But police finally cornered him in Punaluu Friday.
In a CrimeStoppers Bulletin last week, police said Kenneth Wong jumped from a three-story building in Makiki on March 6 while trying to evade police and then fled from the Queen’s Medical Center, while being treated for his injuries. He earlier ran and drove away from police trying to arrest him for allegedly driving a stolen vehicle.
On Friday morning, police found Wong sitting in his girlfriend’s vehicle at her home at 53-224 Kamehameha Highway. When an officer told him to get out, Wong climbed into the driver’s seat and drove off, nearly hitting the officer, police said. Wong drove to the other end of the property, but another vehicle blocked the exit.
A second officer approached Wong from the driver’s side and was almost hit as he drove the vehicle backwards, police said. The vehicle ended up in a ditch and officers arrested Wong at 9:10 a.m. after a brief scuffle.
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His 28-year-old girlfriend was also arrested for hindering prosecution and an earlier arrest warrant.
Wong was wanted for auto theft, fleeing the scene of an accident, drug charges, and resisting arrest for a series of events earlier this month.
According to police, officers tried to stop Wong, who was driving a stolen van on March 3. Police said Wong ran a red light at the intersection of Lunalilo Street and Ward Avenue, and collided with a Ford pickup. The impact sent the truck into an oncoming Honda SUV. A woman riding in the Honda was taken to the hospital in good condition.
Wong fled on foot, police said.
Three days later, Wong’s sister reported her brother was trying to get into her apartment. When officers arrived, Wong ran and tried jumping from rooftop to rooftop, police said. Two officers were injured while trying to stop Wong.
Wong was hurt when he jumped from a three-story walk-up. He was found nearby and hospitalized at the Queen’s Medical Center for his injuries. On March 7, he fled from the hospital with medical equipment still attached to his arm, police said.
