South Hilo Crime Report: July 14–20

Click HERE to see an interactive copy of the South Hilo Crime Map to the left. Click on the flags to view crime details. Locations are as accurate as this technology allows.

South Hilo Crime Map Key

• Red Flag: Robbery
• Blue Flag: Burglary
• Purple Flag: Vehicle Thefts
• Orange Flag: Vehicle Break-Ins

Hawai‘i Police Department’s South Hilo Community Police responded to two burglaries, eight vehicle thefts and seven vehicle break-ins in South Hilo over a  seven-day period from July 14 to 20, 2017.

Of the eight vehicles reported stolen, four had been recovered at the time of this report.

Also see “BIG ISLAND NOW CRIME STORIES” below for Big Island Now articles about specific incidents.

The complete list of locations affected and date in which the incidents occurred are as follows:

2 BURGLARIES

1. July 14–15: A male, 46, reported that his spouse, a female, 44, had entered into his residence located near the 200 block on Kukuau Street without his permission and taken several items to include a television, Xbox 1, and pots and pans. The man related that they are still married and not in the process of a divorce but have not been living together for the past six months. The man related that the items taken were from when they were together but that he had purchased the items on his own.
2. July 19: Between noon and 5 p.m., unknown suspect(s) pushed a bathroom window screen and entered through the opened and unlocked bathroom window of a residence located near the 100 block on Kaiwiki Road. The owner related that her luggage containing clothes, her iPad mini and her mother’s Buddhist prayer beads were removed from the residence.

8 VEHICLE THEFTS

1. July 14–15: Unknown suspect(s) removed a black 1998 Toyota pickup bearing plates VC8183 from a residence on Ka‘apoko Homestead Road in Papaikou without permission. Truck not located.
2. July 14–15: Unknown suspect(s) stole a gray 1992 Acura Integra sedan with plates HMJ756 from a business parking lot near the 200 block on Kalanikoa St. Vehicle not located.
3. July 15: At approximately 8 p.m., a male, 24, reported that an unknown male suspect dressed in dark clothing with a dark face mask entered an unlocked 2001 Lexus 300 4DSD at the Breakwall in Keaukaha. The suspect took the vehicle from the victim and fled toward the Hilo direction. The vehicle was located on July, 19.
4. July 14–18: A cobalt blue 2009 Honda CRV bearing plates HLM391 was stolen from a parking lot on Operations Road in Hilo by unknown suspect(s). Vehicle not located.
5. July 16–17: Unknown person(s) removed a white 1998 Acura Integra bearing license plate ZCZ834 from the corner of Ululani St. and Lanikaula St. Vehicle not located.
6. July 16–17:  A male, 51, reported that an acquaintance, a female, 32, did not return his black 2004 Toyota 4Runner bearing plates HEE589, which he loaned to her on July 16 at approx. 2 p.m. to run errands in town. The man stated that he received a text from the woman at 6 p.m., stating that she would give the vehicle back and did not return it as promised to a residence on Iwalani St. Vehicle was located on July 17.
7. July 17: At approximately 2:40 p.m., unknown suspect(s) removed a white 2015 Toyota Tacoma, bearing license plate 723HEB, belonging to a business near the 100 block on Pohaku St. According to the reporting party, the vehicle was removed from business without permission. Vehicle was located on July 19.
8. July 20: Maksim Viktor STASYUK, a 24-year-old male, was arrested and charged for committing the offense of Theft 1. A registered nurse at the Hilo Medical Center reported an AMR (American Medical Response) ambulance bearing plate ZEX912 was stolen from the ambulance bay at the Hilo Medical center. A discharged male party later identified as STASYUK was observed on video walking towards the ambulance and approximately 1 minute later, the ambulance leaves the parking lot. Officers located the ambulance off of Leilani Street with STASYUK in the back of the ambulance where he was arrested.

7 VEHICLE BREAK-INS

1. July 15: Between 1 and 1:30 p.m., a Jeep Wrangler rental was broken into on Akaka Falls Road. Unknown suspects removed a backpack with contents from within the back cargo area through an unlocked door.
2. July 15: Between 2 and 4:15 p.m., a 2012 Jeep Wrangler was broken into on the Onomea Trails Road. The vehicle renters noticed that the rear passenger plastic cover had been cut and that a handbag had been stolen from the vehicle.
3. July 15: Between 6:15 and 9:45 p.m., unknown person(s) entered into a blue 2002 Chevy Extreme pickup truck that was parked in a parking lot on Keawe St. by unknown means. Removed was a blue fender brand jazz plus electric bass guitar in a black soft case, a gray Fenix brand headlamp, a large bottle of Abercrombie & Finch brand cologne and a black/red Hawaii’s Finest hoodie jacket.
4. July 17: Between 1 and 3:30 p.m., unknown suspect(s) entered a 2006 Ford van, without permission and removed various items from within. Vehicle was parked and unattended in the Pumaile Beach area, no damage sustained to vehicle.
5. July 17: Between 3:30 and 4:45 p.m., unknown person(s) had entered into a 2013 Ford van without permission and removed two bags The van was parked at Lalakea Beach Park parking lot. The suspect(s) had pried open the rear window and entered into the vehicle.
6. July 19: Between 6 and 7:15 p.m., unknown person(s) shattered the front passenger’s side window to a black 2006 Honda Element, while it was parked at Honoli‘i Beach Park on Kahoa Street. Removed was a brown Volcom brand wallet with contents and his silver Apple iPhone 6s cell phone from the front seat.
7. July 20: At approx. 12:30 a.m., Lawrence Mauga, male, 27, was arrested for Unauthorized Entry Motor Vehicle, after it was reported by a male witness, that he observed two male parties within a 1993 Toyota truck on Hualani St. The witness related when he confronted the two males one stated that it was his uncles truck, and they were removing the battery to jump start his vehicle down the road. The witness related he offered to jump start their car for them and the two male parties fled the area on foot. The owner of the vehicle was contacted and upon processing the vehicle with officers, a skeleton key was found within the vehicle which the victim related he had never seen before, and had given no one permission to enter his vehicle. Mauga was located in the area by officers and a show-up was conducted with the victim and witness. The victim positively identified the Mauga as one of the two responsible parties.

BIG ISLAND NOW CRIME STORIES

Carjacking/Robbery Suspect Wanted by HPD Police have identified the suspect as Tyler Leopoldino.The public is advised not to approach Lepoldino who is considered armed and dangerous.

HPD NOTE TO BIG ISLAND RESIDENTS AND VISITORS

The Hawai‘i Police Department asks residents and visitors alike to take the role as an observer: Watch for suspicious activity and notifying the police. You can make a difference!

• Emergency: 911
• Non Emergency: (808) 935-3311
• Crime Stoppers: (808) 961-8300
• Vice/Drug tip hotline: (808) 934-VICE (8423)

To inquire about a neighborhood watch in your area or if you would like to start one, contact a South Hilo Community Police officer at (808) 961-8121.