HAWAII’S BIG ISLAND — Days after the “Tesla Road Rage Driver” was sentenced to seven years after a Hawaii attack, another major Hawaii case has ended in an arrest. This time, police captured a man accused of being involved in the deaths of three men on the Big Island.
Jacob Baker, 36, of Pahoa, was arrested Thursday after a large search involving local police, state officials, and federal authorities. Police had warned residents that Baker was armed and extremely dangerous.
Three Men Found Dead
Police say Baker is suspected in the deaths of three men found in different areas of the island.
The first victim, 69-year-old Robert Shine, was found Monday night partially submerged in a cement pond at a residence. Police later said an autopsy showed Shine had been strangled.
On Tuesday afternoon, officers found a 79-year-old man dead a few hundred feet away. Police said he appeared to have suffered blunt force injuries. His name was still pending positive identification.
Later Tuesday night, officers responded to a welfare check about 19 miles away and found 69-year-old John Carse dead. Police said Carse died from sharp force trauma.
Suspect Found Hiding in Cave
Police received information Thursday afternoon that Baker was hiding in a grassy area and ducking down when traffic passed.
Officers searched the area and found him hiding in a small cave.
A nearby resident said she saw police chasing a man before officers later came out with a shirtless man in handcuffs. She said officers appeared relieved after the arrest.
Police said Baker was taken into custody on suspicion of murder, burglary, and other charges.
Restraining Orders Were Recently Requested
The killings happened just days after two women had requested temporary restraining orders against Baker.
The women claimed he had threatened and harassed them at a farm. One woman said Baker had threatened to kill several women staying on the property. Another claimed he threatened women and a disabled man, trespassed, took things that did not belong to him, and said he planned to squat on the property.
A judge denied both restraining order requests, saying there was not enough proof of harassment.
Police Still Looking for Motive
Police have not released a motive in the killings.
Investigators also said they have not found a clear connection between all three victims, other than two of them living near each other.
Baker had several prior cases in court records over the past two decades, many involving traffic infractions. In many of those cases, he represented himself.
Community Was on Edge
The search left residents in Puna and nearby areas worried. Puna is a rural part of the Big Island with jungle areas, lava fields, and many remote roads.
Residents said they saw a heavy police presence as officers searched for Baker. Some said the arrest brought relief after days of fear.
The case remains under investigation as police work to determine what led to the killings and whether Baker acted alone.
To view more cases involving manhunts, murder suspects, and arrests after intense police searches, check out our video here:
