Inmate may have escaped

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An inmate suspected of escaping from Hale Nani Correctional Facility is believed by police to be in West Hawaii.

An inmate suspected of escaping from Hale Nani Correctional Facility is believed by police to be in West Hawaii.

Police say 31-year-old Ryan Jeffries Hamar of Kailua-Kona was reportedly seen Wednesday afternoon in Kainaliu and Wednesday evening in Kailua-Kona. He is suspected of escaping from Hale Nani off Route 11 on Tuesday afternoon.

“He just ran from the facility,” Police Lt. Greg Esteban of the Criminal Investigations Section said Thursday afternoon. “We’re following up on the sightings that he’s in the Kona district.”

Jeffries-Hamar is described as Caucasian, about 5-foot-7, about 170 pounds with blue eyes and short reddish-blond hair. He has a tattoo along his entire right arm. He was sentenced in 2007 to 10 years in prison on burglary and theft charges.

Although Jeffries-Hamar is not considered dangerous, police warn the public against contacting him.

He is the second inmate to escape from Hale Nani in less than a month. On July 18, 32-year-old Dallas Wesley Runyon of Ka‘u also left the minimum-security facility without authorization and has not returned.

Police ask that anyone with information to contact Detective Grant Todd at 961-2385 or him at gtodd@co.hawaii.hi.us. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.