Hawaiʻi Police Department
Hilo Patrol, Area I
Captain Kenneth A. K. Quiocho
Phone: (808) 961-2214
Report No. 20-008050
Media Release
A 37-year-old male and a 26-year-old female were arrested (January 28) for a drug investigation following a park sweep aimed at deterring crime in the downtown Hilo area and along Bayfront by the Canoe Landing area.
Police were informed of a makeshift camping area near some Banyan Trees at the Hilo Bay Front Soccer Field. Police found rubbish and debris left around the trees. The debris was removed by the County Parks and Recreation personnel and the area cleaned.
Police continued sweeping the area where complaints have been received concerning criminal activity and loitering near the park areas. While on Bay Front Highway police found a vehicle parked with illegal motor vehicle stickers and stopped to investigate the matter.
Police found a man and a woman in the vehicle and after identifying the couple learned they both had warrants for their arrest. While arresting the couple police found drugs and associated drug paraphernalia within the vehicle, leading to the vehicle’s recovery.
Police obtained a search warrant and searched the vehicle recovering 10 grams of methamphetamine, zip loc packets used for storing methamphetamine, and a glass smoking pipe used for consuming methamphetamine.
Police charged Kole Race-Joaquin of Honokaʻa with a drug offense, drug paraphernalia and he was being held on the warrants and $25,000.00 bail for the drug offenses.
Police also arrested Cheryse Levita of Paauilo, for the drug offenses and unsworn falsification, after she provided false information related to her identification to Police and was processed under a false name. A Police Fingerprint Technician examined her prints and was able to properly identify the female as Cheryse Levita.
Levita was released pending investigation and is being held on the warrants issued by the court.
Police will continue to conduct patrols and enforce laws at Hilo Bay Front by the Canoe Landing and in the various county parks in the downtown Hilo area, working with the community on complaints.
The public is encouraged to call the Police and report crimes and criminal activity in the area.