A Hawaii man who picked coconuts in exchange for a place to live is accused of killing three men, including one whose body was found partially submerged in a cement pond, police said
Credit: Hawaii Police Department
NEED TO KNOW
- Jacob Baker, 36, of Pāhoa, is facing murder charges for allegedly killing three elderly men, police said
- Baker fled for several days while police launched a massive manhunt
- He was found in a small cave after a passerby spotted him hiding in tall grass on the side of the road
A Hawaii man who allegedly went on a killing rampage and was on the run for several days was arrested after a passerby spotted him hiding in a grassy field and called police.
On Thursday, May 28, Jacob Daniel Baker, 36, of Pāhoa, was arrested in Kalapana following a massive manhunt after being wanted for the alleged killings of three men in the rural Puna community known for its free-spirited lifestyle, the Associated Press reported.
Baker was hiding in the grassy area of a field and was seen ducking down as passing traffic approached, Hawaii Police Chief Reed Mahuna said in a press conference shown on Hawaii News Now and reviewed by PEOPLE.
He was charged with one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder, Mahuna said.
He is also charged with a host of property crimes including first-degree burglary, auto theft, two counts of fourth-degree property damage and first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, according to a news release from the Hawaii Police Department on Saturday, May 30.
The grisly string of crimes came to light Monday, May 25, when police found the remains of one victim, identified as Robert Shine, 69, of Pāhoa, partially submerged in a cement pond in lower Puna, per the AP.
An autopsy showed that Shine died of strangulation.
The next afternoon, the body of a 79-year-old man with suspicious injuries was found at a residence close to where Shine lived on Papaya Road, police said in the release.
Police have not publicly identified the man pending notification of his family.
On Tuesday, May 26, at 9:58 p.m., police found the body of a third victim, John Carse, 69, also of Pāhoa, police said in a news release on Thursday, May 28.
An autopsy performed on Carse indicated he had died as a result of sharp force trauma.
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The third homicide occurred 19 miles away from the first two victims, according to police.
Asked during the press conference whether the slayings are connected, Chief Mahuna said, “We cannot say at this time.”
Baker had worked for his ex-wife, climbing coconut trees on a farm she co-owns in exchange for a place to live, the Associated Press reported.
Two days before the alleged killings, two women including Baker’s ex-wife had requested temporary restraining orders against Baker, saying he had threatened and harassed them, CBS News, CNN and ABC News reported, citing police.
A judge denied both applications for a lack of proof, per the outlets.
According to police, the second-degree murder charges pertain to the three homicide victims.
Murder in the first-degree pertains to intentionally or knowingly killing two or more people.
Baker is being held without bail on the murder charges. His bail for the property crimes was set at $193,000. He will not be eligible for release even if he makes bail for the property crimes, police added in the release.
It is unclear whether Baker retained an attorney who can speak on his behalf. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday, June 1.
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