East Hawai’i Officers of the Month Honored

Two Hawai’i Police Department officers were recognized on Thursday by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai’i as “Officers of the Month.”

Bryson Miyose, assigned to the Puna district, was named “Officer of the Month” for November following the chase down of two suspects after a report of a burglary in progress. Kaeo Drummondo, a South Hilo Patrol officer, was named “Officer of the Month” for December following his response to a vehicle break-in turned robbery.

Miyose responded to a report on Nov. 12 that a man and woman were trying to break into the home of an elderly woman and attempting to steal her vehicle. Officers arrived on the scene to learn that the suspects has fled.

The pair was located by Miyose running through the brush near the street below the victim’s house, due to his anticipation of their path. The man was carrying a can of gasoline.

A foot pursuit began as Miyose kept his fellow officers informed of his location through portable radio. Two blocks away from the victim’s home and over a fence, the suspect realized he was unable to outrun the police and stopped. At that point, the man doused himself with gasoline he had been carrying and began to reach into his pockets.

Miyose immediately jumped into action and secured the suspect. The suspect had a knife in his pocket. Control of the male suspect was taken over by a backup officer. During the transition, Miyose doubled back and located the female suspect in bushes a block away.

The pair was arrested. The male suspect was charged with unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, attempted burglary of a dwelling during an emergency declaration, and an unrelated outstanding warrant. The female suspect was released pending further investigation.

Drummondo, December’s “Officer of the Month,” responded to an incident on Nov. 20.

Officer of the Month Kaeo Drummondo (right), posing with Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai’i board member Joey Estrella. HPD photo.

An unknown man was found attempting to break into a truck and trying to hotwire it. The owner of the vehicle struggled with the suspect before he overpowered her and fled the area.

During Drummondo’s checks of the area, including businesses in close vicinity, he learned that a man who matched the description of the suspect had rushed into a store and borrowed the telephone.

The investigation by Drummondo led to the phone number the suspect called, identity of the suspect, identification of his location, critical DNA evidence, and surveillance video of the suspect.

Along with other officers that Drummondo coordinated with, the suspect was arrested, who was a wanted felon who had violated parole.

The suspect was arrested for parole revocation for an unrelated burglary, as well as unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and three felonies from the attempted car theft.

Both Miyose and Drumondo are eligible for “Officer of the Year” since they have each been honored as “Officer of the Month.”

East Hawai’i’s “Officer of the Month” award is a project of the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai’i.