The Kona Crime Prevention Committee recognized Officer Ellsworth Fontes as “Officer of the Month” for December in a luncheon ceremony Wednesday (December 1) at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.

Fontes was honored for what his lieutenant described as his “keen persistence” in solving a burglary.

Fontes was assigned to investigate a burglary at a Kailua-Kona business on September 28. The burglars stole food and beverages and damaged a surveillance camera. Fontes studied surveillance videos and distributed still copies of the burglars to other officers.

On October 3, Fontes recognized the two men during a traffic stop of a pickup truck. Both men were arrested and Fontes obtained additional information linking them to the crime.

“Due to his diligence, he was able to apprehend the responsible parties within five days of taking the call,” said Lieutenant Nancy Haitsuka, who nominated Fontes for the award. “This case is just one of the many examples of Officer Fontes’ exemplary performance as he models our department’s core values of integrity, professionalism, compassion, teamwork and community satisfaction.”

As “Officer of the Month,” Fontes is eligible to become “Officer of the Year.”

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