Escaped inmate from Hilo’s Kūlani Correctional Facility caught 50 minutes later

At 9 a.m. on Thursday, a 31-year-old inmate at Kūlani Correctional Facility escaped from the Hilo facility, but he was on the lam for only 50 minutes.

The inmate, identified as Arnold BJ Fernandez from Pāhoa, was located at 9:50 a.m. by Adult Corrections Officers on the facility property.

Fernandez was serving a 10-year sentence for burglary, theft and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.

The manhunt included the Hawai‘i Department of Public Safety, Hawaiʻi Police Department and Hawai‘i Fire Department.

Fernandez was arrested for escape and transported to the Hilo Police Station for processing.

Fernandez will be returned to the Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center upon the completion of the escape investigation, which is being conducted by Hawaiʻi Island detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section.

Police ask anyone who may have seen or come into contact with Fernandez during his time on the run to contact Detective Zenas Pacheco of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2384, or email at Zenas.Pacheco@hawaiicounty.gov.