Suspect arrested in alleged abduction of Mikella Debina
Update: Hawaii Island police have located 52-year-old Duncan Kealoha Mahi. He was arrested shortly before 4 p.m. in East Hawaii, according to police.
Update: Hawaii Island police are searching for a 52-year-old man wanted for outstanding warrants and kidnapping in connection with the alleged abduction Friday of 15-year-old Mikella Debina.
Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Duncan Kealoha Mahi, who was last seen in Downtown Hilo around 1130 a.m. Sunday operating a white Honda CRV baring license plate No. ZAE 959.
Mahi is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighing 215 pounds, with brown eyes/brown hair, and tattoos on both arms.
If Mahi and/or the vehicle is observed, call 911.
Mahi should be not be approached as police consider him armed and dangerous.
Fifteen-year-old Mikella Debina, who was allegedly abducted Friday afternoon from Anaehoomalu Bay in South Kohala, was located in good health Saturday morning in Downtown Hilo.
Debina’s mother, Cher, who was at a search effort near Anaehoomalu Bay Saturday morning, told West Hawaii Today that her daughter, a Kealakehe High School student, had escaped. She said Mikella Debina, who was allegedly taken at knifepoint while with her boyfriend, had told her abductor that she was hungry and needed something to eat, which prompted the man, believed to be local in his 40s to 60s, to stop at Cafe Pesto in Hilo.
While the man went to get her food, Mikella Debina remained in the car. As soon as the suspect entered the establishment, she fled the vehicle, the mother said. A Good Samaritan then recognized the girl and took her from the area and notified police.
The mother and another family member were sent via helicopter to meet with the teen in Hilo.
There is no word on the suspect, however, Mikella was reportedly able to provide a license place number to police.
Mikella Debina’s reported abduction triggered Hawaii Island’s first-ever Amber Alert issued Friday afternoon informing the community of the missing, endangered 15-year-old, police confirmed.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
