Police in Hawaii searched Thursday for a 36-year-old man whom they described as “armed and extremely dangerous” and wanted in connection with three killings within a two-day span earlier this week.
Hawaii Police Chief Reed Mahuna said authorities were deploying “significant resources and personnel” in trying to find Jacob Baker, of Pahoa, Hawaii.
Three men, including two who were 69 years old and one who was 79, were found dead on Monday and Tuesday
in the Puna area of the island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island.
“These are a tragic series of events and our thoughts are with those who are grieving at this time,” Mahuna said at a news conference Wednesday. “The Hawaii Police Department understands the fear and concerns incidents like this bring to our community.”
Mahuna declined to provide details on the search, but said bringing Baker into custody was his department's “No. 1 priority.”
Authorities said they had not identified a motive but were confident Baker was involved in all three homicides. Mahuna did not release information on how police identified Baker as a suspect or what evidence may connect him to the killings.
Mahuna said Baker is known to police, but did not elaborate.
On Monday at around 8 p.m., police found a 69-year-old man at a residence partially submerged in a cement pond, Mahuna said. Police did not initially know whether foul play was involved, but preliminary autopsy results showed the death was a homicide, the chief said.
On Tuesday, a 79-year-old man was found dead with apparent blunt force injuries shortly after 12:30 p.m., Mahuna said. The killing happened about 400 to 500 feet (122 to 152 meters) from the first homicide, he said.
Later Tuesday, at around 10 p.m., police responded to a property about 19 miles (31 kilometers) from the first two killings on a welfare check request and found a 69-year-old man dead with injuries, Mahuna said.
Officials were asking the public to report any information about Baker and any suspicious activities in the areas of the homicides to police, and urged people not to approach Baker.
