Hawaii man charged in attempted kidnapping of woman at Kainalu condominiums
Bail was set at $500,000 for Diesel Makanikaiaulu Kawelo, who police said grabbed a 24-year-old resident and dragged her toward a truck.
By Megan Parker ·
Police in Honolulu set bail at $500,000 for a 23-year-old man charged with kidnapping after surveillance video captured him dragging a woman out of a condominium garage. Diesel Makanikaiaulu Kawelo was arrested and faced charges on Wednesday.
The incident occurred in the middle of the afternoon on Monday at the Kainalu condominiums. Authorities responded to the complex after receiving reports of a kidnapping. Security footage showed a truck parked outside the building. A man entered the garage area and appeared to confront two women. He then chased one of them.
A 77-year-old resident, who requested anonymity, stated that the suspect picked up her 24-year-old friend. Police reports indicated that the man elbowed the 77-year-old woman in the face during the struggle. “He shoved me away from my friend and he picked her up,” the resident said. “He looked like a monster. He just had so much hatred and craziness in his eyes.” She recalled shouting for help while her friend protested, saying, “You don’t want to do this. Don’t do this.”
Beverly Louis, a neighbor and witness, described seeing the man bear-hugging the 24-year-old woman and dragging her toward the rear of his truck. “I just started screaming, ‘Drop her! Drop her! Drop her!’” Louis said. “She was screaming for her life. She was terrified.” Mike Finkelstein, another resident, yelled at the suspect to release the woman. “Let her go. I’ve called the police. I’m coming down there after you,” Finkelstein recalled.
Several neighbors intervened after hearing the commotion, assisting the 24-year-old woman in breaking free. Witnesses said the suspect drove his truck away quickly. Police located him a few hours later in a nearby neighborhood, where he was seen running naked. He was taken into custody at that time.
The 77-year-old resident thanked her neighbors for their assistance. She and her friend reported continuing to experience nightmares. The neighborhood remains on edge following the event.
Source: KTVK
