Hilo man facing charges after police connect him to 3 separate car break-in cases

A man from Hilo wanted on an outstanding warrant was arrested over weekend in connection with a vehicle burglary that occurred in January.

Tyler Napoleon, 23, was officially charged with second-degree theft and second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. Charges stem from an incident on Jan. 13.

According to a press release from Hawai‘i Island police, a South Hilo patrol officer observed a vehicle that had recently been identified as being involved in a car break-in, reported the afternoon of Jan. 12, in the area of Amauulu Road and Maikalani Street. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified Napoleon as the driver.

During the stop, stolen property was observed inside the truck, which was recovered, the release stated.

A search warrant was executed, resulting in the recovery of $798 worth of stolen property, as well as methamphetamine.

Investigators determined the recovered property belonged to three victims in separate car break-in cases.

One incident occurred in the early morning of Jan. 12, when tools were removed from the bed of a truck parked at a home improvement store in the 300 block of East Makaala Street in Hilo. A second incident occurred between the evening of Jan. 12 and the morning of Jan. 13, when tools belonging to two victims were removed from the bed of a truck parked in the driveway of a residence in the 1000 block of Komohana Drive in Hilo.

Napoleon was officially charged on Feb. 14 and his bail was set at $15,000.

Police encourage the public to avoid leaving valuables unsecured and unattended in truck beds.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Detective Amy Omaya of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2381, or via email at amy.omaya@hawaiipolice.gov. Information may also be provided through the department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.