Neighbors Confront Burglary Suspect

A Pāpaʻikou man faces burglary and theft charges, thanks in part to neighbors who confronted him at a construction site.

On Friday, Dec. 2, Puna District officers responded to a report of a burglary on 25th Avenue in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision.

Arriving officers learned that neighbors, including an off-duty police officer, had confronted the suspect at a home under construction, where more than $2,000 worth of building materials and construction tools had been removed over a two-day period.

The suspect, 28-year-old Chas Akiona of Pāpaʻikou, was arrested and taken to the Hilo police cellblock while officers from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

During the investigation, some of the stolen goods were recovered, valued at about $1,000.

At 7 p.m. Friday, Akiona was charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree theft and two counts of contempt of court. His bail was set at $20,650.

He remained at the cellblock until his initial court appearance scheduled for Monday, Dec. 5.