Hawaiʻi Police Department
Community Policing, Area II
Sergeant William Souther
Phone: 326-4646, Ext. 259
Media Release
The Hawaiʻi Police Department has noticed an increase in moped thefts on the Big Island.
Mopeds have been taken from a variety of locations such as residential subdivisions, apartment complexes, business establishments, shopping centers and public parks. They have been removed through various means such being driven off with keys in the ignition, being “hotwired” and even being lifted into the back of pickup trucks. Owners of mopeds should take all precautions to prevent the theft of their mopeds.
Police recommend the following precautions for moped owners:
- If possible, keep your bike concealed in a garage or storage area when is is parked at home overnight.
- Park in safe, well-lit areas and remove the key from the ignition.
- Lock mopeds to a fixed object, preferably with a “Kryptonite” type lock or heavy chain. (Cables can be easily cut with bolt cutters.)
- Be aware that the more obvious the security, the less attractive your moped is to thieves.
- Keep a record of the vehicle identification number, registration number and engine number.
- Inscribe an identifiable name or number in as many inconspicuous parts of the moped as possible to help police identify it if it is stolen.
Police urge anyone with information about stolen mopeds to call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
