Police Charge Man In Honolulu Condo Attempted Abduction

Diesel Makanikaiaulu Kawelo, 23, was arrested and charged Wednesday with kidnapping after an attempted abduction Monday afternoon outside the Kainalu condominiums in Honolulu. His bail was set at $500,000.

Police said they were called to the complex about a reported kidnapping. Surveillance video from the area showed a truck parked outside the complex that afternoon, followed by a man entering the garage, appearing to confront two women and chase one of them.

A 77-year-old resident, who asked not to be identified, said the man picked up her 24-year-old friend. Police said the suspect elbowed the 77-year-old in the face. "He shoved me away from my friend and he picked her up," she said. "He looked like a monster. He just had so much hatred and craziness in his eyes."

Neighbor Beverly Louis said she saw the man bear-hugging the woman and dragging her toward the back of his truck. "I just started screaming, 'Drop her! Drop her! Drop her!'" Louis said. "She was screaming for her life. She was terrified." Neighbor Mike Finkelstein said he also yelled at the man, telling him, "Let her go. I've called the police. I'm coming down there after you."

Several neighbors then intervened, helping the 24-year-old break free. Witnesses said the suspect got into his truck and drove off. Police took him into custody a few hours later after he was seen running naked in a nearby neighborhood.

The 77-year-old resident thanked fellow residents for their help but said she and her friend were continuing to have nightmares as the neighborhood remained on edge.