HCCC escapee, accomplice get away in high-speed chase 02-01-05

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
EAST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
DETECTIVE RICHARD SHERLOCK
PHONE: 961-2379
FEBRUARY 1, 2005

Photo of Helenamae Pang
Photo of Winston Hoapili
WANTED – Big Island police are looking for Helenamae Pang for allegedly helping Winston Hoapili escape on Friday from Hawaii Community Correctional Center guards while on a visit to the Ponahawai Medical Clinic in Hilo. The two were last seen in the Papaikou area of South Hilo.

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

Big Island police have identified the alleged accomplice in the escape Friday (January 28, 2005) of Hawaii Community Correctional Center inmate Winston Hoapili.

The alleged accomplice was identified as Helenamae Lynne Pang, 20, of no permanent address, who is being sought for conspiracy to commit escape, robbery and car-jacking as well as for several outstanding warrants.

Pang and Hoapili, 31, led South Hilo patrol officers in a high-speed chase Monday evening after officers responded to a tip that Hoapili was in the Keaukaha area. Hoapili and Pang were riding in a Mazda pickup truck when officers spotted the pair about 7 p.m. The couple commandeered the truck, kicked out the driver and sped away. Police chased the truck along Kalanianaole and Kamehameha Avenues from the Hilo Pier area to Waianuenue Avenue, when they called off the chase for safety reasons.

The truck was later recovered in the Papaikou area, where the two were last seen.

Hoapili, who was jailed as a detainee pending trial for a variety of felony theft and drug offenses, escaped Friday from HCCC guards by jumping into a car driven by Pang that was parked at the Ponahawai Medical Clinic, where he had a medical appointment.

Pang is described as being 5-foot-4 in height, weighing about 130 pounds with a thin build and having a fair complexion, long brown hair and hazel eyes.

Hoapili is described as being a part-Hawaiian, being 5-foot-11 in height, weighing about 170 pounds and having long brown hair and brown eyes. He is also described as having numerous tattoos on his arms, thighs, chest and back. Police said he is now clean-shaven and frequently wears a knit seaman’s cap.

Police say Hoapili has a history of violence and may be armed. They caution residents not to approach the escapee, but to call the police instead.

They are also asking anyone who may have witnessed the escape or who may know of Hoapili’s or Pang’s whereabouts to call Detective Richard Sherlock of the East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2379 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept strictly confidential.

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