HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
KONA PATROL DIVISION
CAPTAIN ROBERT HICKCOX
PHONE: 326-4646 Ext. 263
MARCH 29, 2006

MEDIA RELEASE

On Sunday, March 26, 2006, Kona patrol officers arrested two runaway male juveniles that were responsible for a series of crimes in the West Hawaii region, during the prior week.

The juveniles, both 16 years old, were confronted by patrol officers who responded to a report from a concerned citizen of a suspicious vehicle parked within a subdivision in Kalaoa. Upon officers approaching the vehicle, both juveniles fled and one was apprehend a short while later within the subdivision. The second juvenile was later arrested in Kailua-Kona after being recognized by another officer.

During the initial investigation officers learned that the vehicle occupied by the juveniles was reported stolen from a rental establishment at Kona International Airport and the vehicle contained suspected stolen items.

When interviewed by Detectives from the West Hawaii Juvenile Aid Section, the juveniles admitted that they ran away from a juvenile detainment facility in Hilo, on Wednesday, March 22, 2006, and upon arriving in Kona, two days later, they removed a rental vehicle from a baseyard at the Kona International Airport by driving through a chain link fence. Detectives also learned that the following day, the juveniles burglarized a residence in Kawaihae where they removed a computer and other items; then later that evening upon returning to Kona, they burglarized a commercial business in Kaloko and removed electronic equipment and tools, prior to being caught.

All of the property that was removed during these burglaries were recovered by police and returned to their respective owners. The property was valued at approximately $102,650.00

While investigating the property within the rental vehicle, Detectives determined that the juveniles were also responsible for the robbery of visitor that had her purse forcibly taken from her while walking along Alii Drive, on March 24, 2006.

The juveniles were arrested and charged for Runaway, Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle (Auto Theft), Criminal Property Damage, two counts of Burglary, and two counts of Theft. The Robbery offense is currently pending.

Both juveniles are currently in custody at the Juvenile Detention Facility, in Honolulu. The prosecutor’s office is seeking to have the cases transferred from Family Court an adult court where there would be more severe penalties if the juveniles are convicted.

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