HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
EAST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION
CAPTAIN SAMUEL THOMAS
PHONE: 961-2251
JUNE 11, 2004
G-93096

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

Big Island police have charged a 48-year-old Puna man with attempted murdered and two firearms-related offenses in connection with a shooting that took place nearly two and a have years ago.

The suspect, identified as Melody Ancheta, also known as “Lando,” of a Hawaiian Beaches residence, was charged Thursday (June 10, 2004) with second-degree attempted murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and place to keep a firearm. Ancheta is being held in the Hilo police cellblock without bail.

After East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section detectives developed new leads in the shooting, Puna patrol officers arrested Ancheta at 10:40 a.m. Wednesday.

About 4 p.m., East Hawaii CIS detectives also executed a search warrant on a Hawaiian Beaches residence and recovered a .357-caliber handgun believed to have been used in the shooting.

On January 7, 2002, the male victim was driving a sedan on the Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) near the 16.5-mile marker in the Kapoho area when it was overtaken by a van. As the van pulled alongside of the sedan, its driver shot at the driver of the sedan.

The victim, 45, at the time, was shot once in the left arm, and a second shot grazed his chest.

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