HPD Charges Man Who Led Police on Foot Chase Through Kailua-Kona

Earlier this week, a foot chase between Hawai´i Police Department personnel and a suspect ended in the waters off Kailua Pier.

A 25-year-old Big Island man, Lane Turner, was arrested and taken into custody. On Wednesday, the specifics of the charges he faces were made public by police.

On Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, at 9:10 p.m., Kona patrol officers responded to the 75-200 block of Malulani Drive in Kailua-Kona after a 77-year-old woman reported that she observed an unknown man within her vehicle as she left a friend’s house. The woman reported that she confronted the man, who fled on foot, and that she believed he took an item of hers from her vehicle.

While investigating that incident, police received a report of an unknown man walking around a residence on Malulani Drive near the area of first incident. Patrol officers responded to that residence and began canvassing the area for the suspect. While conducting checks, officers reported that they located several items believed to have been stolen.

At 7 a.m. the following morning, Monday, Aug. 16, Kona patrol officers responded to an apartment complex located on the 75-5700 block of Kuakini Highway after a 59-year-old man reported that an unknown man was sleeping within his vehicle.

The suspect fled on foot after being confronted by the victim. Police later determined that the suspect left behind several items, which were also believed to be stolen.

Later that same morning, Kona patrol officers once again responded to a residence on the 75-200 block of Malulani Drive after a 63-year old man reported items missing from his garage and from within a vehicle. 

Kona patrol officers and a detective from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section continued the investigation and determined that yet another vehicle on the same block, this one owned by a 59-year old woman, had also been broken into. The woman reported that some of her items were missing, as well.

Investigators have determined that Turner was responsible for all these crimes, according to a release by HPD.

On Monday afternoon at 1:10 p.m., a Kona patrol officer spotted Turner walking on Kuakini Highway and attempted to contact him. Turner ran from the officer and made his way to Ali‘i Drive near Hale Halawai where he jumped into the ocean and swam 200 yards away from the shoreline.

With assistance from the Hawaii Fire Department, members of HPD’s Area II Special Enforcement Unit boarded HFD’s rescue boat and apprehended Turner at sea without incident. Turner was transported to the Kona Police Station where he was held while the investigation continued into the incidents that had occurred on Aug. 15 and 16.

After conferring with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney on Tuesday, Turner was charged with two counts of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and one count each of burglary in the first degree, attempted unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, criminal tampering in the second degree, and contempt of court. His bail was set at $56,500.

Turner made his initial court appearance for the contempt of court charge in Kona District Court on Tuesday and was scheduled to make his initial court appearance for the remaining charges on Wednesday in Kona District Court.

Anyone who may have information on any of these incidents or may be missing items from their residence in the area of Malulani Drive is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 326-4646 ext. 238, or via email at [email protected]. They may also contact the department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.

Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.