Case of sex abuse by juveniles awaits evidence results

KAILUA-KONA — An investigation of two juveniles allegedly involved in a sexual assault on Sept. 3 continues, as police await the return of evidence from the state crime lab.

The case involves a woman who was punched and sexually assaulted by two males, ages 15 and 17 at Old Kona Airport Park, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

The violent nature of the attack, in addition to police releasing one of the suspects after he was taken into custody, prompted concerned residents to protest.

But prosecutors want the results of the evidence kit before they make a charging decision, Capt. Chad Basque, who heads the department’s west side Criminal Investigations Section, told West Hawaii Today on Tuesday.

The assault was broken up by another park-goer.

“They fled the area when a Good Samaritan confronted them,” a police press release said at the time.

The younger of the two suspects was arrested on Sept. 4 and later released to his parents. School officials have said they can’t comment on whether the boy has returned to school.

Police have identified the other suspect, but he has not been arrested.

As the investigation continued, community frustration rose to the point that about a dozen people protested in front of the police department in early October. They told West Hawaii Today at the rally that they were not only challenging what they saw as an unacceptably slow response to the crime, but a larger feeling of being unsafe in their community.

Some described the victim as “a very talented musician” and well-regarded in the community.

Basque said the evidence involved in the case that prosecutors are waiting on would include images of any injuries the woman suffered, as well as other DNA evidence.

After the results return, Basque said he expects the case will be sent to a grand jury. That could further delay an arrest, as prosecutors would need to await the next grand jury or call an earlier date.