Suspect Arrested After Month-Long Crime Spree

Hawai’i Island police have arrested and charged 40-year-old Nathan Kalani Niihau with an array of offenses following a month-long crime spree.

On the afternoon of Thursday, July 8, 2021, after conferring with county prosecutors, police charged Niihau with burglary during an emergency period, two counts of first-degree theft, two counts of first-degree criminal property damage, and resisting an order to stop. His total bail was set at $136,000.

These charges stem from a Sunday, July 4 incident that took place shortly before 11 p.m. on the 300 block of Kanoelehua Avenue in Hilo. As an employee of the business responded due to an alarm, Niihau was reportedly observed within the locked fenced area placing various items of value into the bed of a Nissan pick-up truck that belonged to the business, and then forcefully driving the truck through a locked gate and leaving the property.

Prior to his apprehension, Niihau was identified operating the stolen Nissan truck on several occasions, according to a police report. He rammed it into the galvanized gate of a residence in Hakalau and later led police on a short vehicle pursuit in Hilo.

On Wednesday, June 30, 2021, Niihau was arrested while operating a stolen Jeep. After further investigation and execution of a search warrant on the vehicle, he was charged with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle (UCPV), first-degree theft, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, theft of credit card, and unauthorized possession of confidential personal information. His bail was set at $75,000. Upon appearing the following day in Hilo District Court, and at the objection of prosecutors, Niihau was granted supervised release. At the time of the July 4 offenses, Niihau was out on supervised release for previous charges.

Earlier last month, on June 1, Niihau was linked to a burglary of a county facility on the 1000 block of Kino‘ole Street in Hilo. That case has been routed to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. Niihau appeared Friday, July 9 in Hilo District Court on the most recent charges.

Police want to remind the public that in light of Governor Ige’s current COVID-19 emergency proclamation, there are enhanced penalties for certain offenses including burglary, theft, criminal property damage and robbery.