West

California couple hikes up Hawaii volcano to escape carjacking, robbery

Published

2 days ago

June 30, 2024

A California couple hiked up a volcano in Hawaii to escape an armed carjacker who “pointed a gun” at them, police say.

The startling incident involving the 29-year-old female and 31-year-old male victims happened along the Piilani Highway in Maui on June 4 as the pair were driving a rented Ford Mustang, the Maui Police Department told Fox News Digital in a statement.

“While driving, they were followed by a Toyota Tacoma with its headlights off, which they allowed to pass them,” police said. “Shortly after, the Tacoma reportedly came to a stop on the roadway, and the male driver exited, pointed a gun at the victims, and told them to get out of their car and start walking.”

“The responsible male drove off with the stolen Mustang, and the couple began to walk but then hid behind bushes and boulders on the side of the roadway as the male stopped the Mustang and started driving back toward them,” police continued. “The male reportedly returned to the area, calling out to the victims and asking them if they wanted the car back. He continued calling out and looking for the victims, during which time he fired at least one shot with the pistol, causing the couple to believe he was shooting at them.”

HAWAII TOURIST BITTEN BY SHARK WHILE SWIMMING, FOUND ‘BLEEDING PROFUSELY’

Suspect Christopher Helmer, left, and the summit of Mt. Haleakala in Hawaii. (Maui Police Department/Ted Soqui/Corbis via Getty Images)

Police say the couple later emerged from hiding and started hiking toward the summit area of the Haleakala volcano.

“Eventually, nearly 24 hours later, before reaching the summit, the couple was helped by a group of hikers and park rangers to get to the visitor’s center,” the Maui Police Department said.

THOUSANDS OF MILITARY FAMILIES AND CIVILIANS CONTINUE TO SUFFER HEALTH PROBLEMS FROM 2021 FUEL LEAK IN HAWAII

The rocky 10,000 ft. summit of Mt. Haleakala on Maui. (Ted Soqui/Corbis via Getty Images)

The alleged carjacker, identified as Christopher Helmer, 35, was taken into custody four days later without incident, according to police.

“At the time of his arrest, Helmer was operating the stolen Mustang and had a loaded firearm,” police added. “Following his arrest, further investigation resulted in the recovery of additional evidence linking him to the robbery and the recovery of the Tacoma, which was found to be a stolen vehicle.”

The Haleakala National Park ranges through five different climate zones. (Sergi Reboredo/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Helmer is now being held on $500,000 bail on charges including robbery and carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on a public highway.

Fox News’ Stepheny Price contributed to this report.

Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

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Oregon

Oregon Ducks Trending for Five-Star Corner DJ Pickett?

Published

9 mins ago

July 2, 2024

Press Room

Oregon Ducks Trending for Five-Star Corner DJ Pickett?

The Oregon Ducks might be the hottest team in the country on the recruiting trail.

In just the last week, the Ducks have landed commitments from five-star recruits Jordon Davison and Dorian Brew, as well as four-star talents Josiah Sharma and Dashaan Brame.

In fact, in total for the month of June, Oregon coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks landed six pledges. As a result, they have risen all the way to No. 5 in the On3 national recruiting rankings, trailing only Ohio State, Alabama, LSU and Georgia.

And now, it appears they could be in good shape to contend for another top talent, in five-star Zephyrhills (FL) cornerback DJ Pickett, who placed the Ducks in his top-four on Monday.

DJ Pickett / DJ Pickett on X

Oregon, Georgia, LSU and Miami are the final contenders for the 6-foot-4, 190-pound prospect.

Pickett narrowed his choices after a string of official visits to Oregon on June 21, Miami on June 14, Georgia on June 7, Clemson on June 1, and LSU on May 31.

“Had a great time at Oregon,” Pickett’s father told On3. “Oregon showed a lot of hospitality. Great time Oregon. We saw Oregon had a couple of commitments over the weekend.”

Last season Zephyrhills, Pickett was a two way star, catching 52 passes for 1,033 yards and 15 TD, as well as 31 tackles and a pick on defense. In 2022 as a sophomore, he had 39 tackles, four interceptions and three pass breakups, to go along with 886 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Rated as a consensus five-star recruit, Pickett ranks as the No. six player in the nation, the No. 2 cornerback, and the No. 1 player in the talent-rich state of Florida, per the On3 Industry Ranking.

He is set to make his decision later this fall.

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Utah

2025 three-star defensive back Manny Fuller commits to Utah

Published

35 mins ago

July 2, 2024

Press Room

2025 three-star defensive back Manny Fuller commits to Utah

Utah’s football program, led by coach Kyle Whittingham, continues its impressive recruitment streak with the commitment of Shelton “Manny” Fuller, a three-star safety from El Paso, Texas. Fuller, the 11th commitment to wrap up June, and the 13th for the 2025 class, which adds significant value to the team’s defensive lineup.

Fuller, who visited Salt Lake City earlier this month, had also considered Houston, BYU, and Oregon State before deciding on Utah. He was Initially planning to commit in August, but announced his decision early via Instagram.

Fuller was ranked as the No. 44 athlete in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports. At 6-feet and 170 pounds, he’s known for his versatility and physicality on the field. Without question his combination of strong ball skills with an aggressive playing style, particularly excelling in run defense. As he continues to develop physically, his tackling power is expected to improve, enhancing his already notable defensive capabilities.

Utah hits three of the biggest lists for EA Sports College Football 25

Fuller’s commitment marks the ninth defensive player for Utah in 2025, joining a robust group of recruits including quarterback Wyatt Becker, tight end Drew Clemens, and several defensive standouts like Nela Tupou and Max Fonoimoana. With this strong early recruitment drive, Utah is building significant momentum and positioning itself for a successful future.

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Washington

Giuliani disbarred in N.Y. over false statements about 2020 election

Published

45 mins ago

July 2, 2024

Press Room

Giuliani disbarred in N.Y. over false statements about 2020 election

Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor and personal attorney to Donald Trump, was disbarred Tuesday in New York over his false statements about the 2020 election.

“The seriousness of respondent’s misconduct cannot be overstated,” a state appeals court said in a ruling, adding that Giuliani “baselessly attacked and undermined the integrity of this country’s electoral process.”

Giuliani was already suspended from practicing law in New York, where he was admitted to the bar in 1969.

The court ordered Giuliani to be “disbarred from the practice of law, effective immediately, and until the further order of this Court, and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York.”

A spokesman for Giuliani, a former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, criticized the decision and said he would appeal it.

“Members of the legal community who respect the rule of law in this country should immediately come forward and speak out against this politically and ideologically corrupted decision,” the spokesman, Ted Goodman, said in a statement.

Giuliani said in a social media post that he was “not surprised” he was disbarred. He argued that the case against him was “based on an activist complaint, replete with false arguments.”

Giuliani could be disbarred in Washington, D.C., where he has also been suspended from practicing law.

Giuliani has faced a storm of legal problems over his leading role in Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 reelection defeat. He has been indicted on criminal charges in Georgia and Arizona over alleged schemes to subvert the 2020 election in each state. Last year, he was ordered to pay $148 million in a defamation lawsuit brought by two Georgia poll workers.

Giuliani filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New York after the defamation case.

The decision Tuesday came from the First Judicial Department of the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court. The ruling found Giuliani “repeatedly and intentionally made false statements” about the 2020 election — “some of which were perjurious” — to courts, the public and state lawmakers.

“In so doing, respondent not only deliberately violated some of the most fundamental tenets of the legal profession, but he also actively contributed to the national strife that has followed the 2020 Presidential election, for which he is entirely unrepentant,” the ruling said.

John Catsimatidis, the owner of a New York radio station where Giuliani was abruptly taken off the air in May over his comments about the 2020 election, said in a text message to The Washington Post that the court’s decision was “very sad” for Giuliani.

Azi Paybarah contributed to this report.

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