Wednesday was not the first time an Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) inmate has escaped from Circuit Court.

It was just four months ago when Darius Punimau climbed into the ceiling of a secure area of the building and followed the air ducts to freedom. Punimau was caught about 24 hours later.

A day and a half after escaping from OCCC in March 1989, Gomard Olayan died in an Waipahu apartment fire, sparked by police tear gas.

Before the fire, police and Olayan exchanged gunfire during a 12-hour standoff. Six hostages in the apartment were not hurt.

Olayan escaped with Roy Frisbee by taking two Oh Triple-C guards hostage.

Frisbee led police on a three-week manhunt, before he was detained in Kalihi Valley.

In April 2003, Albert Batalona, Warren Elicker and David Scribner escaped from a high-security area of Halawa Correctional Facility.

Police say the three hijacked a car from nearby Stadium Mall. It was found a few hours later at Hauula Kai Shopping Center.

The three escapees were caught on the windward side a week later, after a hunter spotted their campsite in the Koolau Mountains.

Batalona was already well-known for being convicted of first degree attempted murder in a shootout with police following a robbery at American Savings Bank in Kahala.