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Maui Police Probe Woman's Allegations Against Officer

Police Say Officer Took Woman To Community Office Instead Of Station

POSTED: 10:10 pm HST August 10, 2004
UPDATED: 11:56 am HST August 11, 2004

The Maui Police Department has opened an internal investigation into charges against an officer accused of trying to force a woman to perform sexual favors to avoid arrest.

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Police charged Maui officer Aaron Won, 25, with attempted sex assault, attempted extortion and kidnapping of a citizen he arrested in Kahana late last month.

Police said the 27-year-old woman was arrested on lower Honoapiilani Road and taken a to community police office used for writing reports.

Won took the woman to the Napili police office. She said he asked for sexual favors, according to a police officer.

The woman speaks little English, so police say officer Won conveyed his message using gestures.

"The officer asked the victim to perform sex acts in order to avoid arrest," Maui Police Department Chief Tom Phillips said.

When the woman refused, Won took her to the Lahaina substation, where she was arrested for driving without a license, no insurance and an expired safety check, police said.

Later in the day, after posting more than $400 bail, the woman told her story to a Spanish-speaking officer.

Less than two weeks later, Won was indicted and was charged with the alleged crimes Monday.

"Obviously it's a huge disappointment to have an employee with some potential, to have this happen is very shocking and very disappointing," Phillips said.

Although disappointing, Phillips points to the quick action taken to resolve the situation. He called the victim a brave woman for coming forward.

"We're not going to tolerate this kind of behavior," he said.

Police said there was no sexual contact between the woman and Won. Won has not been on duty since the incident happened. He is currently on unpaid leave pending an internal investigation. He also faces felony trial in state court.

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