Stabbing Suspect Surrenders to Police After Manhunt

By David Kvasnicka

Sydney N. Elaban-Paoa. Photo courtesy of MPD.

The suspect in the knife attack incident at The Paradise Gardens on Monday morning has surrendered to police, ending a manhunt.

Sydney N. Elaban-Paoa, 19, appeared at Wailuku Police Station at around 10.45 p.m. last night. Maui Police Department’s Lt. Wayne Ibarra could not confirm if Elaban-Paoa has been charged.

The knife attack occurred on Monday at approximately 3.24 a.m. at The Paradise Gardens apartment complex in north Kihei. Elaban-Paoa allegedly stabbed and cut a 21-year-old resident of the complex following an argument between the two.

Police found the victim upon arrival at the scene. However, Elaban-Paoa had fled, and a manhunt was launched. Police had considered Elaban-Paoa as “armed and dangerous.”

Paradise Gardens apartment complex in Kihei. Photo by James B.

A second crime at the same complex that weekend, in which a stolen computer took a photo of a suspect, is still under investigation.