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Kulani escapee last seen in Pepeekeo area 08-17-04

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
EAST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
ACTING LIEUTENANT GREG ESTEBAN
PHONE: 961-2252
AUGUST 17, 2004
H-99871

Photo of Joshua Reed

JOSHUA A.J. REED
…last seen in Pepeekeo

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

Big Island police are warning motorists that a 29-year-old escapee described as dangerous is hitchhiking rides and was seen Monday night (August 16, 2004) in the Pepeekeo area of South Hilo.

East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section detectives said the fugitive, identified as Joshua Abraham James Reed, has altered his appearance again.

Sighted in Pepeekeo at 11 p.m. Monday, the Kulani Correctional Facility escapee reportedly has dyed his hair red and appears to be clean-shaven. He was last seen wearing blue shorts and a red T-shirt and was barefoot.

Police have arrested a 30-year-old Pepeekeo woman, identified as Brandi Coughlin, for hindering prosecution. Coughlin, being held in the Hilo police cellblock pending further investigation, is suspected of feeding and sheltering the fugitive over the last few days.

Police also seized a 1991 blue Pontiac Bonneville allegedly used to transport the fugitive from Kapalana in Puna to the Pepeekeo area. Police said the escapee, also known as Eric Victor, had been seen last week in Kalapana and at beach areas in Puna.

Discovered missing from the minimum-security facility at 6 a.m. on August 1, 2004, Reed is described as being a Caucasian, being 5-foot-9 in height, weighing about 165 pounds and having green eyes.

Police have cautioned residents that the inmate was serving time for a sex offense at the time of his escape and described him as dangerous.

Anyone with information on Reed’s whereabouts is asked to call Detective Richard Sherlock of the East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2379 or the police emergency number at 9-1-1.

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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