Hāmākua Coast Crime Report: October 2017

Hawai‘i Police Department’s Hāmākua Coast Community Police responded to two burglaries, one assault, five incidents of criminal property damage, five thefts, one drug-related incident and no vehicle break-ins or vehicle thefts in the Hāmākua Coast District in October 2017.

Also see “BIG ISLAND NOW CRIME STORIES” below for articles about specific incidents.

The complete list of locations and incident details are as follows:

2 BURGLARIES

1. At a residence located on the Old Māmalahoa Highway in Ninole, unknown suspect(s) pried open a rear kitchen door to gain entry and removed several items. Through investigative efforts Eduardo E. LOPEZ and Michael P. QUEVEDO were identified as suspects and were arrested for this burglary.
2. At an unfinished residence located on Mud Lane in Honoka‘a, unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked door and removed drywall, a wood burning fireplace, a window, wooden studs and a water tank without permission. Estimated value of items taken is $5,275 dollars.

1 ASSAULT

1. While at the Transfer Station in Laupahoehoe, a 62-year-old man was punched on the left side of his cheek causing pain while he was dumping trash.

5 THEFTS

1. At the Laupahoehoe Point Park, a suspect removed the victim’s backpack containing several prescription medications from his tent without permission.
2. At a residence on Ke‘ehia Place in O‘okala, an unknown suspect removed the keys to a white 2000 Honda Civic which were in a tool box of an open garage.
3. At a business in Honoka‘a, an unknown suspect attempted to take out funds from a joint checking account online and applied for two credit cards in the victim’s name. A connect-up theft investigation was initiated.
4. At a business on Mamane Street in Honoka‘a, unknown suspect removed 12 pens from a mug on a window sill without permission.

0 ROBBERIES

5 CRIMINAL PROPERTY DAMAGE

1. At a residence on Ke‘ehia Place in O‘okala, unknown suspect kicked the fenders and punched the hood of his 2000 Honda Civic causing minor dents. Estimated damage is unknown at this time.
2. On the sidewalk of a vacant business on Mamane Street in Honoka‘a, an unknown suspect(s) used a black marker pen to write graffiti. Estimated damage is unknown at this time.
3. On Alanui O Makaenaena Road in Honoka‘a, unknown suspects shot at and used black spray paint to mark a sign. Estimated damage is unknown at this time.
4. At a residence on Hala Street in Honoka‘a, unknown suspect(s) smashed the rear window of a vehicle that was parked and unattended. Estimated damages $602.
5. At a shed in Waipio Valley in Honoka‘a, unknown suspect damaged the door jam to the shed window. Estimated damage is $25.

1 DRUGS

1. On Hauola Street in Pa‘auilo, a 19-year-old male was arrested and charged for promotion of a dangerous drug after a narcotics search warrant of a container under the drivers side seat of a stolen vehicle which led to the recovery of a zip packet of 0.4 grams of crystal-like substance tested positive for meth.

0 VEHICLE BREAK-INS

0 VEHICLE THEFTS

The Importance of Neighborhood Watches; Block Captains Wanted

A neighborhood watch is an organized group of civilians devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within the neighborhood. The goal of the neighborhood watch is to educate the residents of a community on security and safety to achieve safe and secure neighborhoods. When suspicious activity is suspected, members are encouraged to call and report this activity.

Why is there a need for this partnership? With a limited amount of officers working per shift and with the task of having to cover from Umauma to Lake Land, having neighborhood watches provides more eyes and ears in the community to report and prevent suspicious activity.

How do you start a neighborhood watch? There are Five Steps to start a Neighborhood Watch:

1. Recruit/organize as many neighbors as possible.
2. Contact your area Community Police Officer to schedule a meeting.
3. Discuss community concerns and develop an action plan.
4. Hold regular meetings and train members on relevant skills.
5. Implement a phone tree and take action.

Those interested in forming a neighborhood watch in your area should contact the community police officer for your area.

Hāmākua Coast Community Police are looking for those who are interested in being a block captain in the Laupahoehoe and Ahualoa Neighborhood Watch areas. Contact your area community police officer or Neighborhood Watch Coordinators.

Officer John KARI for the Honoka‘a Area, Honoka‘a Station (808) 775-7533

Officer Joseph ROCHA for the North Hilo Area, North Hilo Station (808) 962-2120

BURGLARY PREVENTION TIPS

• Lock your doors and windows when you leave home.
  When you are on vacation try not to post pictures on social media until you return home.
  Become familiar with your neighbors and their vehicles.
  Be aware of strangers walking or driving around in your neighborhood. Burglars may be checking to see if your house is unoccupied.
  Keep trees and bushes trimmed to they don’t provide cover for burglars.
  Install motion sensor lights.
  Install an alarm system and or surveillance cameras.
• Be vigilant, don’t give criminals an opportunity to commit crimes.

If you see suspicious persons and or activity, don’t hesitate to report it to the Police. The Police non-emergency number 808-935-3311 or 9-1-1 for emergencies.

If you see suspicious persons and or activity, don’t hesitate to report it to the police.

Hāmākua Station
45-3400 Mamane St.
Honoka’a, HI
(808) 775-7533

Laupahoehoe Station
36-2283 Old Māmalahoa Highway
Laupahoehoe, HI
(808) 962-2120

Crime Stoppers
(808) 961-8300

PoliceNon-Emergency
(808) 935-3311

CALL 9-1-1 FOR EMERGENCIES