UPDATE: Car Theft Suspect Arrested After Chase at ʻĀhihi Kīnaʻu

La Perouse Bay, criminal investigation. Maui Now graphic.

By Maui Now Staff

(Update: 7:15 p.m. 12/2/14)

A car theft suspect is in police custody on suspicion of attempted murder after a police chase in South Maui, in which one officer reportedly sustained minor injuries.

The incident stems from a stolen vehicle report at around 9:06 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014.  Police say Wailuku Patrol officers requested the assistance from Kīhei Patrol after tracking the stolen vehicle to the area of Mākena State Park via an onboard GPS system.

According to police reports, a Kīhei Patrol officer making checks at the end of Mākena Road located the stolen vehicle within the gravel parking lot of ʻĀhihi Kīnaʻu or La Perouse Bay.

Police say the lone male operator was in the process of exiting the gravel parking lot when he observed the patrol vehicle enter the gravel lot.

According to police reports, the officer exited his vehicle, stood by the driver side door, and commanded the suspect to exit his vehicle.  Police say the suspect then started to reverse the vehicle, prompting the officer get back into his patrol car.

As the officer got back into his vehicle, police say the suspect stopped the stolen car, and the officer exited his patrol car for a second time.

Police say the suspect then accelerated the stolen vehicle in the direction of the officer, who was able to jump back into his patrol vehicle, but not before getting hit by his car door which was struck by the stolen vehicle.   Police say the officer received minor injuries from the impact.

According to police reports, the suspect within the stolen vehicle headed back towards Kīhei.

As the suspect came to the area of ʻĀhihi Bay, police say he observed patrol officers heading in his direction and reversed the vehicle in an attempt to get away.

Police say the suspect tried to go around a patrol vehicle which was behind him, but collided into the patrol vehicle, hit a tree, and stalled out.

According to department reports, the suspect exited the stolen vehicle and was subdued during a foot chase before being placed under arrest.

Police say the suspect was arrested for suspicion of: attempted murder, first degree criminal property damage, resisting arrest, unauthorized control of a propelled motor vehicle, and unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.

The individual remained in police custody at last report while charges are pending.

The incident remains under investigation by Kīhei detectives.

(Update: 5:30 p.m. 12/2/14)

As of 5:30 p.m., police were still compiling details from today’s criminal investigation at La Perouse.  Police said once information is released by detectives, it will be made available to the public.  The area was closed from noon to 2:30 p.m. while police conducted an investigation on scene.

(Update: 2:30 p.m. 12/2/14)

Entry into La Perouse Bay is now open.  Police have yet to release details relating to this incident. As soon as information is available, we will post accordingly.

(Original Post: 12 p.m. 12/2/14.)

Maui Police have closed off entry into La Perouse Bay in South Maui due to an “active investigation.”

Maui Police Sergeant Audra Sellers said detectives are currently investigating a “criminal” type case.

The investigation is ongoing at this time.

Police have yet to release details on the incident, but said the area was closed off to the public as of 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014.

We’ll keep you posted as details become available.

***Please check back.