Hawaii man accused of kidnapping 15-year-old, locking her in school bus, forcing her to smoke meth
09/27/2022 2:49 pm PDT
HONOLULU (TCD) -- A 52-year-old man faces several charges after he allegedly kidnapped a teen girl, locked her in a school bus behind his property, and made her do drugs.
Mikella Debina, 15, was reported missing to the Hawaii Police Department on Sept. 16, and police said she "may be in the company of a local male" somewhere between 45 and 60 years old.
Debina’s disappearance reportedly prompted a MAILE (Minor Abducted In Life-threatening Emergency) AMBER Alert, and according to KHON-TV, that was only the second time the island has used it since its inception.
Hawaii Police said Debina was "able to free herself from her captor with the assistance of several good Samaritans" on Saturday, Sept. 17, and the suspect, Duncan Mahi, was subsequently arrested. The Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced they charged Mahi with two counts each of kidnapping, robbery, first-degree sexual assault, third-degree sexual assault, and methamphetamine trafficking.
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said kidnapping, robbery, and sexual assault typically carry a 20-year prison sentence, but prosecutors "have provided notice of an intention to seek an extended term of imprisonment which would subject Mahi to serving a life term as a result of his two prior felony convictions."
According to court documents cited by KHON, Mahi allegedly threatened Debina and her boyfriend at knifepoint, then made her "restrain" her boyfriend. Mahi reportedly kidnapped Debina and kept her restrained inside a school bus right behind Mahi’s property. While locked in, he allegedly forced her to smoke meth.
Debina reportedly escaped from Mahi because she told him she was hungry and they went to a cafe nearby. She reportedly tried getting out of the car, and Mahi allegedly fought with her. She managed to escape and and an employee at the cafe got her to safety. Mahi drove away, but police found him soon after.
Mahi is being held in lieu of $2 million bail.
MORE:
- Police Seek Missing Teen Mikella Debina - Hawaii Police Department
- Kidnapping Suspect Duncan Mahi Charged - Hawaii Police Department
- Hilo man charged - Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
- Hawaii’s Maile Amber Alert system is 2 for 2 - KHON
- Court docs: Abducted girl was drugged, trapped in bus - KHON
- Man charged in alleged Big Island teen abduction - KHON
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