Authorities have taken into custody a Hawaiian man believed to be “armed and extremely dangerous” in connection with the deaths of three men found on the Big Island over a span of just two days.
Jacob Baker, 36, from Pahoa, Hawaii, was arrested without any incidents, as announced by Hawaii Police late Thursday. He was linked to three homicides.
After an investigation, law enforcement agencies cautioned the public about Baker’s potential threat. Hawaii Police Chief Reed Mahuna had mentioned that a considerable amount of personnel and resources were being deployed to locate the suspect.
This all began on Monday when authorities discovered the body of Robert Shine, 69, partially submerged in a cement pond. An autopsy later revealed he died from strangulation.
A 79-year-old man was found deceased on Tuesday, about 400 to 500 feet away from Shine, but details about his cause of death remain undisclosed.
Additionally, Baker is suspected of being involved in the death of John Kearse, another 69-year-old, whose remains were located about 30 miles away on Tuesday night.
An autopsy for Kearse identified sharp-impact trauma as the cause of death, although toxicology results are still pending.
“These are tragic events, and our hearts go out to those grieving right now,” Mahuna expressed during a Wednesday press conference, acknowledging the fear such incidents can instill in the community.
Details surrounding how Baker was identified as a suspect or what evidence connects him to the crimes remain unclear.
It’s worth noting that these killings coincided with incidents where two women sought temporary restraining orders against Baker for alleged intimidation and harassment at his farm. However, a judge dismissed those claims, citing a lack of sufficient evidence.
One woman claimed Baker threatened to kill several women on the property and coerced some into leaving.
Local resident Steven Shafer shared that Baker had lived on his ex-wife’s property, which features various fruit crops. Shafer mentioned that after a disagreement, his ex-wife sought a restraining order against Baker, feeling she was under threat.
In his description, Shafer noted Baker appeared “a little angry” at one point.
Federal agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service, have also been involved in the search for Baker.
