9-Year Old Korean Boy Detained and Released in Hawaii After Car Theft
This was some smart thinking by this 9 year old Korean boy on vacation in Hawaii with his parents when he was kidnapped as part of a car theft:
A 9-year-old boy from South Korea and witnesses helped lead Honolulu police to the man who allegedly stole a car with the child inside in Kailua late Thursday morning.
Police said officers arrested a 35-year-old Enchanted Lake man on suspicion of kidnapping, auto theft, theft of property and two warrants after he allegedly stole a rental car with the boy inside.
Police gave the following account of the incident: The boy’s parents, visiting from Korea, left the child inside the car with the air conditioning on, and stopped near the Kailua boat ramp to take pictures of the scenery. At 11:23 a.m. near 729 Mokulua Drive, the suspect jumped into the car and drove off with the boy inside. The boy, who speaks English, asked the man to drop him off at Kalapawai Market and the suspect complied.
The child was able to give officers the car’s license plate number and a description of the vehicle, police said.
Witnesses called 911 and police located the car, which had collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Mokulele Drive in Kaneohe.
Police said the driver got out and ran on foot, but officers captured him a short distance away. The suspect had personal property from the vehicle on his person, police said.
The suspect was taken to Castle Medical Center with minor cuts to his hand received in the accident. He was later taken to the Kaneohe station for booking. [Star Advertiser]
LIMERICK
Stealing a car was my path
but now I am just filled with wrath.
I am really irate
’cause he remembered my plate.
Why are Asian kids so good at math?
Been in Hawaii for a few years now and things are getting so bad. This is not a place for tourists anymore. There has been an increase of robbery and assault over the years and it is not letting down. Visit with caution.
Hawaii News Now reported the thief didn’t know the kid was in the car when he stole it. At least he dropped the kid off after realizing he was in the car. That’s carjacking with aloha.
shouldn’t the Headline be something like, “Korean boy inadvertently kidnapped during carjacking..” Reading the headline I thought a 9yr old stole a car.
Those English hagwon lessons came in handy!