HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
EAST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
DETECTIVE RICHARD SHERLOCK
PHONE: 961-2379
JUNE 3, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

Police have charged a 51-year-old Hilo suspect with a variety of offenses stemming from a domestic dispute that occurred Sunday and Monday (May 30 and 31, 2004).

The suspect, identified as Wayne Okutsu, led South Hilo Patrol officers on two high-speed chases after they responded to two separate reports of domestic abuse at a Hilo residence late Sunday and early Monday. In both instances, officers called off pursuit because of concerns for public safety.

Okutsu was later arrested on Monday after he was found hiding at a separate Hilo residence.

The suspect was charged Tuesday with two counts of abuse of a family member, two counts of violating a court protective order, one count of interfering with reporting an emergency or crime (for preventing the victim from calling police) and numerous traffic offenses.

Okutsu was arraigned in court the next day and is currently being held at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Responding to a report of domestic abuse late Sunday, police arrived at a Hilo residence, but the suspect sped off in a vehicle, leading officers on a high-speed chase that they called off for safety reasons.

Early Monday, officers were summoned to the residence again by neighbors who reported another incident of domestic abuse. The suspect again led officers on a high-speed chase that was called off for safety concerns. Officers later determined that the suspect had severed the victim’s telephone line.

Police officers later found the suspect hiding behind some bushes at a separate Hilo residence, and after a struggle, they were able to subdue the suspect and arrest him.

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