Three-time fugitive Chris Dichoso Santos eluded federal, state and local officials on a fruitless, high-speed chase yesterday, causing a second-degree attempted murder charge to be added to his list of alleged crimes. Santos, who has successfully evaded officers two other
Three-time fugitive Chris Dichoso Santos eluded federal, state and local officials on a fruitless, high-speed chase yesterday, causing a second-degree attempted murder charge to be added to his list of alleged crimes.
Santos, who has successfully evaded officers two other times in the past four months, is also wanted for parole violation, resisting an order to stop a motor vehicle and criminal property damage.
Kaua‘i police, Special Weapons and Tactics, federal marshals and Department of Land and Natural Resources officials pursued Santos with helicopter support and set up a command post at Kapahi Park around 12:30 p.m. yesterday.
After losing him, officials interviewed neighbors and chased leads to catch Santos until stopping the effort at 5:30 p.m.
“They exhausted all leads,” said county spokeswoman Mary Daubert. “He was last seen in the vicinity of Kahuna and Kawaihau roads. Police are hoping he’ll turn himself in.”
It was not confirmed whether Santos was armed, Daubert said.
“He is known for being armed and dangerous, so police were prepared for that possibility,” she said.
This is the third time Santos has led a high-speed chase. The most recent incident was Feb. 16 when he escaped into a Hanapepe cane field, despite helicopters pursuing him. The first time was Dec. 18, when he fled and crashed his car through a gate at an ancient Hawaiian heiau.
At press time, officials would not comment on who the alleged victim of the second-degree attempted murder charge was or when the incident yielding that charge occurred.
County officials also would not reveal the make and model of the car Santos was driving, but said he got out of it and fled on-foot after roughly two minutes of vehicular pursuit.
In addition to his four current charges, Santos is on parole for charges of first-degree burglary, unauthorized control of a motor vehicle, resisting an order to stop a motor vehicle, second-degree theft and unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.
He has 53 prior arrests and 17 convictions, seven of which are felonies.
Officials are offering a reward for any information given that could help yield an arrest.
Anyone with information about Santos is asked to call police at 241-1711 or Crime Stoppers at 241-1887.
• Amanda C. Gregg, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or agregg@kauaipubco.com
