Second Arrest Made in Kona Vehicle Break-In

A second man has been arrested in connection with a Sept. 21 break-in of vehicles in Kailua-Kona. The incident initially came to attention of the victim because of a barking dog.

According to the Hawai’i Police Department, one suspect was arrested on the day of the incident and police had been searching since for the second suspect, identified as Sione Manu Maasi of Kailua-Kona, who was also wanted on unrelated warrants.

On Sept. 21, a 39-year-old Kailua-Kona man reported that he heard his dog barking while working at his business on Alapa Street in the old industrial area of Kailua-Kona. The barking prompted him to look outside to see two men in the bed of his pickup truck rummaging through a tool box.

When the victim approached the men, they fled the area on foot with a case containing a hand drill. The victim later discovered that coins were missing from the truck and a sports-utility vehicle parked near by had also been entered.

On the same day as the incident, police arrested a 23-year-old man, identified as Joshua Leiataua of Kailua-Kona, in connection with the break-in.

A search warrant on a backpack led to the recovery of crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Leiataua was charged on Sept. 24 with promoting a dangerous drug, possessing drug paraphernalia and two counts of unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle.

Investigation by detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section led to Maasi’s identity, and the search for him began.

On Monday, Maasi turned himself in on warrants. It was at that point that police also arrested him for the car break-ins.

Maasi, 32, was charged Monday with violating terms of release on bail, two counts of contempt of court, and two counts of discharge of sureties. His bail on those offenses was set at $11,250 and he appeared in court Wednesday morning.

After his court hearing for the prior offenses Maasi, was returned to the Kona police cellblock as detectives continued the investigation into the Sept. 21 break-in.

At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Maasi was charged with promoting a dangerous drug, possessing drug paraphernalia and two counts of unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle. His bail for those offenses was set at $40,000.

Maasi remained at the cellblock until his court appearance on those charges Thursday.