Chaves Named ‘Officer of the Month’ for August

Kona Patrol Officer Dustin Chaves. HPD courtesy photo.

The Kona Crime Prevention Committee recognized Kona Patrol Officer Dustin Chaves as “Officer of the Month” for August in a luncheon ceremony Wednesday, Aug. 3, at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona.

Chaves was honored for his investigation of a stolen vehicle.

On May 19, Officer Chaves and another officer responded to a report that a stolen car had been spotted in a shopping center parking lot.

When they arrived, the car was gone but they learned the direction in which it had traveled.

They located it and initiated a felony traffic stop.

After they gave multiple orders for the driver to exit the vehicle, she disregarded the order and sped away.

Both officers initially followed, but immediately terminated the pursuit when the stolen car began to speed through the Kealakehe Elementary School zone.

When other officers arrived to cover all possible getaway routes, Officer Chaves decided to check the Laʻi Opua subdivision, where he located the car parked and unoccupied.

He enlisted the assistance of a concerned citizen, who pointed out the direction the driver had walked.

Officer Chaves located her and arrested her. She was charged with unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, promotion of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sgt. Rollin Rabara said he nominated Chaves because of his “initiative and intuition” to check the Laʻi Opua area, but added that the other officers who responded should also be recognized for the teamwork they displayed.

Chaves was previously named “Officer of the Month” in January 2015. As “Officer of the Month” again, he is eligible for “Officer of the Year.”

The Kona Crime Prevention Committee is an organization that encourages community involvement in aiding and supporting police in West Hawaiʻi.