Hawaiʻi Police Department
Juvenile Aid Section, Area I
Lieutenant Lucille Melemai
Phone: 961-2254
Report No. C14010450
Keahi Sale
Media Release
A 25-year-old Hilo man has been charged with kidnapping and other offenses in connection with a series of events this past weekend that began in Hilo and ended at a West Hawaiʻi beach thanks to the help of concerned citizens.
On Saturday morning (April 19), police received a report that Keahi Sale had kidnapped an adult female in Hilo. Police began an intensive search for Sale, who was also wanted on three unrelated warrants and had been featured on “Hawaiʻi Island’s Most Wanted.”
That afternoon, the victim managed to call for help to bystanders at Spencer Beach Park. The bystanders physically restrained Sale until police arrived.
Sale was initially arrested and charged with violating terms of release and two counts of violating probation. He was later taken to the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Juvenile Aid Section continued the investigation into the kidnapping incident. On Monday, after conferring with prosecutors, he was charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, terroristic threatening and two counts of abuse. His bail was set at $80,000.
During the investigation, detectives also arrested Sale on suspicion of numerous additional offenses for incidents that reportedly occurred between September and April in Hilo and Puna.
For the September and October cases, Sale was arrested on suspicion of felony assault of a female infant, terroristic threatening, unlawful imprisonment of a 33-year-old woman, four counts of abuse and two additional counts of abuse of a 7-year-old boy.
For a November case, he was arrested on suspicion of terroristic threatening and custodial interference.
For a January case, he was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault of an adult female, unlawful imprisonment, terroristic threatening and two counts of abuse.
For an incident in April, he was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, sexual assault of an adult female, terroristic threatening, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and four counts of abuse, as well as for 11 traffic offenses from Hilo to Puna in connection with the same series of crimes.
After conferring with prosecutors Tuesday afternoon (April 22) on the additional offenses, police did not charge Sale with any of them and will forward those cased to the Office of the Prosecuting attorney for final disposition.
Sale is incarcerated at Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center and is being held there on the three warrants. His initial court appearance for the charged offenses is scheduled for Friday afternoon (April 24).
