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Driver released in burglary probe; hitchiker charged 07-06-06

HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
MAJOR JOHN DAWRS
PHONE: 326-4646, EXT. 299
JULY 6, 2006
REPORT NO. 06020480

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Youness Oubad, charged in connection with two burglaries.

MEDIA RELEASE

In an ongoing investigation of a burglary that took place July 4, 2006, on Hao Street in the Kaloko Subdivision, detectives have determined that one of the four parties arrested was not involved in the crime. Marc Spatz, a 43-year-old heavy equipment diesel mechanic was released from police custody on July 5, 2006, and cleared of any suspicion in the crime.

Through investigation, police learned that Spatz had just left a job site in Kaloko when he observed a male hitchhiker standing on the side of Hao Street in the rain. Feeling sorry for the man, he picked him up only to be stopped shortly thereafter by police. It turns out the man he picked up had just burglarized a house and was in possession of items stolen in the burglary. With the burglar and stolen items in his vehicle, Spatz was arrested and held until cleared the following morning.

At 12:30 p.m. Thursday (July 6, 2006) Detectives from the Kona Criminal Investigations section charged the hitchhiker, 20-year-old Youness Oubad of Kailua-Kona with first-degree burglary, second-degree theft, third-degree theft, theft of a credit card and unauthorized control of a propelled motor vehicle. He is being held at the Kona police cellblock in lieu of $9,000 bail.

The charges stem from two burglaries Tuesday (July 4, 2006). Investigation revealed that Oubad entered a Keauhou home between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. while a 73-year-old woman was asleep and stole her purse, cash, credit card and car keys. He then allegedly went to the victim’s garage and took her car, which police recovered later that day at the Keauhou Pier.

Oubad was driven from the pier to Hao Street by Athena Ahuna, 43, of Kamuela and Michael Luth, 40, of Kailua-Kona. Luth and Ahuna were released without charges at 2 p.m. Thursday pending further investigation.

Detectives executed search warrants and recovered all the stolen property from the Hao Street burglary.

Oubad was also arrested on suspicion of promoting a dangerous drug, promoting a detrimental drug and possessing drug paraphernalia after police recovered small amounts of crystal methamphetamine and marijuana, along with paraphernalia. He was released pending further investigation on those offenses.

Police ask anyone with information about any burglaries to call the police non-emergency number at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.

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