Ali’i Ice Burglary Suspect in Custody, Production Resumes

The Hawai`i Police Department announced Friday that it has arrested and charged Clinton Richard Souza, 22, of Volcano with multiple offenses following two break-ins Wednesday on Banyan Drive in Hilo.

The most notable incident was reported at 7:43 a.m. that morning at Ali’i Ice, where officers report that business information was stolen after an office door was broken into. Police allege that Souza then broke into a secure parking area, where he damaged four vehicles. An engine in one of the vehicles was damaged, and several windows and an ignition system were also broken.

Police connected Souza to an incident that was reported five hours earlier on the same street. In the 2:30 a.m. reported incident, Souza is alleged to have broken into a vehicle. Authorities did not state what type of vehicle the suspect gained access to.

Souza was initially arrested on the earlier incident, but after an investigation by the Area I Criminal Investigations Section, enough information existed to link Souza to the Ali’i Ice burglary.

Jon Bockrath, owner of Ali’i Ice Co., told Big Island Now that he thinks the burglary may have been retaliatory. He said he’d received requests for ice via phonecalls and had to turn people down as the ice was being re-directed for Hurricane Iselle recovery efforts, which seemed to upset the caller(s). But Bockwrath said he was not certain.

Ice production was ordered to be ceased on Wednesday immediately following the burglary, for reasons that are unclear.

Bockwrath said ice production was ramping back up today, and deliveries to the Puna areas affected by the storm will resume Saturday, Aug. 16.

“The Hawai`i Police Department is committed to investigate all reported criminal activity affecting storm victims and to identify and arrest the responsible persons,” said Police Chief Harry Kubojiri in a statement.

Souza has been charged with burglary, burglary during a Civil Defense emergency, five counts of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, two counts of criminal property damage, and theft. Bail has been set at $152,000 and he is currently being held at the East Hawai`i Detention Facility.