Neighborhood Watch Catches Suspicious Man

A Neighborhood Watch member in Volcano, along with additional residents who observed suspicious activity in their neighborhood, led the Hawai’i Police Department to the arrest and charge of a 39-year-old man in Volcano.

According to HPD, a resident observed an unknown man enter her property on Sunday at 12:15 p.m. for the third time in several days and peer into her house.

The man had also been seen by other neighbors suspiciously walking onto other properties. His photo had circulated in the neighborhood.

After the Sunday incident, neighbors contacted their Neighborhood Watch representative and joined together to locate the suspicious man. The group confronted the man and contacted police who arrived 10 minutes later.

Police obtained a consent to search a 5-gallon bucket that the man was seen carrying. In the bucket officers located a clear plastic bag with meth residue, a cut straw with meth residue, 2.6 grams of dried marijuana, and two unspent bullets.

Kehalaniokekai Ching was arrested and taken to the Hilo police cellblock.

On Monday, Ching, who has no permanent address, was charged with trespassing, promoting a dangerous drug, promoting a detrimental drug, possessing drug paraphernalia, and ammunition place to keep.

Ching’s bail was set at $5,500. He remained at the cellblock as he awaited his initial court appearance Tuesday.

Members of the public are encouraged by HPD to become involved in Neighborhood Watch groups and report suspicious activity right away.