local and state briefs 2-22

Two charged with robbing man in Pahoa

Two Puna residents are facing robbery charges stemming from a Monday afternoon incident in Pahoa.

A 32-year-old Pahoa man reported to police around 2:45 p.m. Monday that while he was standing outside a Pahoa restaurant a woman had approached him and asked him for marijuana, according to the Hawaii Police Department. When he said he didn’t have any, the woman allegedly hit him in the back of the head several times with her fist and then removed cash from his pants pocket.

Another man then joined in the attack, allegedly hitting the victim in the head first with his fist and later with the victim’s skateboard, knocking him unconscious, according to police.

The victim was taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries, according to police.

At 3 p.m., police arrested 32-year-old Steven Stoesser, 35-year-old Lisa Yurkovic and a 19-year-old Pahoa woman. Later that evening the 19-year-old was released without charges, according to police.

Stoesser was eventually charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree assault. His bail was set at $50,000, according to police.

Yurkovic was charged with first-degree robbery. Her bail was set at $5,000, according to police.

Gomes, Castro sought by police

Big Island police are asking for the public’s help locating two residents wanted on outstanding bench warrants.

Dominic Gomes, 41, who is known to frequent the Hamakua and Puna areas, is described as “local,” 6 feet tall, weighing 200 pounds with a tan complexion, blue eyes and possibly a shaved head, according to the Hawaii Police Department. He may be operating a motorcycle or a faded red Mazda pickup truck.

Gomes may be in the company of his girlfriend, 42-year-old Patricia Castro, who is also wanted on a warrant, according to police. Castro is described as “local,” 5 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 150 pounds with a tan complexion.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts should call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Police arrest 42 for suspected DUI

Police arrested 42 drivers for suspected drunken driving between Feb. 13 and Sunday; nine were involved in traffic accidents and five were younger than 21.

Police have made 202 suspected DUI arrests this year compared with 194 during the same period in 2011, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

South Hilo officers nabbed 18 drivers, Kona officers 15 and South Kohala officers four. Puna officers arrested three motorists and Ka’u officers two.

There have been 195 major accidents this year compared with 199 during the same period last year.

To date, there have been two traffic fatalities on Big Island public roadways, compared with five fatalities during the same period in 2011, according to police.

Nursing moms might find it easier to pump at work

HONOLULU — Breastfeeding mothers could find it easier to pump milk at work under a bill before the state House.

The measure would require businesses with 20 or more employees to make reasonable efforts to provide nursing moms with clean, private places to pump. Those that fail to do so could face a fine.

According to the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, half of mothers with children under 1-year-old are employed — 69 of them percent full-time. Many stop breastfeeding earlier than they’d like because it’s difficult to pump milk at work.

At a public hearing on House Bill 2228 on Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony about the benefits of encouraging working moms to continue breastfeeding from a number of groups, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Planned Parenthood of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Women’s Coalition.

Proponents of the legislation say employers who make it easier for mothers to pump milk see economic benefits, such as lower health care costs and less absenteeism.

By local and wire sources