Homeless Assault at Little Beach Investigated

Makena, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Maui police are investigating the alleged assault of a homeless man at Little Beach near Maluaka Point in Mākena over the weekend.

According to police reports, a 28-year-old homeless man from Sammamish, WA, reported being attacked by three or four unknown local males as he played his guitar with friends at the beach.

According to information released by Maui Police Lt. Jayson Rego, the man was allegedly punched several times and also threatened with a knife during the incident reported at around 3:50 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2013.

The victim sustained serious injuries with a broken jaw in three different places, loss of several molars, along with multiple bruising and swelling to his head and facial area, according to Lt. Rego.

Another homeless man at the scene, identified as 28-year-old Ricardo Padilla of Geno, NB, was not seriously injured and refused medical treatment, police said.

Police say the victim was last listed in guarded, but stable condition at Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Patrol units later located several individuals who reportedly fled the scene.

According to police reports, a 16-year-old male from Makawao, who allegedly struck the victim in the face with a guitar, was released to his parents pending review by family court.

Police also released a 27-year-old Wailuku man; while two other males, ages 18 and 20, of Makawao, remained in custody without charges, according to police reports.

The investigation is ongoing.