UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (3/15/10)

Big Island Police have located 24-year-old Jessica Leigh Furtado, who was wanted in a theft investigation.

She was arrested on suspicion of theft at 2:55 p.m. Monday (March 15). She has been released pending further investigation.

MEDIA RELEASE (3/12/10)

Jessica Leigh Furtado

Big Island Police are requesting the public’s help in locating a woman wanted for questioning in a theft investigation.

Jessica Leigh Furtado, 24, is described as 5-foot-7, about 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She has a tatoo of lips on her right rear shoulder area and a tattoo of a flower on her left ankle.

Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts call Acting Lieutenant Reed Mahuna at 961-2384 or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

MEDIA RELEASE

During the week of March 8, 2010, through March 14, 2010, Big Island police arrested 27 motorists for drunk driving. Five of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes. Two were under the age of 21.

So far this year, there have been 321 DUI arrests compared with 252 during the same period last year, an increase of 27.4 percent. The numbers of arrests by district were:

DUI Arrests by District
District	Weekly Total	Year to Date

Hāmākua 	0		3
North Hilo	0		1
South Hilo	7		95
Puna    	1		32
Ka'ū    	1		12
Kona    	14		142
South Kohala	4		34
North Kohala	0		2

Island Total	27		321

There have been 278 major accidents so far this year compared with 345 during the same period last year, a decrease of 19.4 percent.

So far this year, there were eight traffic fatalities on the Big Island compared with four during the same period last year, an increase of 100 percent.

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

John Patrick Rapozo

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island Police are requesting the public’s help in locating a man wanted for questioning in assault, burglary and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle investigations.

John Patrick Rapozo, 36, is also wanted on an outstanding bench warrant for violating terms of bail for prior burglary and weapons convictions.

He is described as 5-foot-9, about 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has numerous tattoos on his torso, arms and neck.

John Patrick Rapozo tatoos

Due to the prior weapons conviction, police consider him dangerous.

Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts call Acting Lieutenant Reed Mahuna at 961-2384 or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

As of Friday March 12, 2010, the following individuals are wanted by the Hawaii Police Department because of outstanding warrants:

Theodore A. Cortez, 59, Keaau
Rebeccalee Cory, 57, Fairbanks, AK
Michael E. Cossio, 23, Kailua Kona
Colby I. Costa, 23, Kurtistown
Janell K. Costa, 42, Kailua Kona
Jonathan C. Costa, 49, Kamuela
Reginald Costa, 50, Hilo
Vernon Costa, 45, Mountain View
Joseph W. Coughlin, 45, Pahoa
Michael Coulter, 48, Hilo
Darrick Cousineau, 35, Kailua Kona
John W. Cowee, 63, Kailua Kona
Andrew M. Cox, 23, Holualoa
Tonya R. Cozzone, 39, Kailua Kona
Deborah K. Craig, 43, Honaunau
George W. Craigen, 47, Unknown
Barry R. Cramer, 21, Pahoa
Jonathan P. Crane, 31, Kamuela
Troy L. Crapser, 43, Hilo
Clyde H. Criswell, 44, Ocean View
Bonnie J. Crivello, 39, Volcano
Michael K. Crivello, 37, Hilo
Lonnie C. Crockett, Jr., 43, Pahoa
Liam O. Cronan, 21, Hilo
Jordan Cronk, 25, Pahoa

Persons who know a warrant is out for their arrest are advised to report to the nearest police station to avoid having an officer go to their home or workplace to arrest them.

This is the official list from the Hawaii County Police Department

Contact information for police here

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawai’i Police Department would like to remind the public about the law regarding the use of headlamps while operating a vehicle during the evening, early morning hours and inclement weather conditions. The use of headlamps on motor vehicles is not only recommended for safety and visibility, it is the law.

Hawai’i County Code Section 24-34 requires that “Every vehicle upon a highway within the County at any time from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of five hundred feet ahead shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices.”

Motor vehicle operators violating this section can be cited under the above mentioned section and subject to a fine of $57.

The police are reminding motorists that during inclement weather conditions using safety precautions such as the use of headlamps will assist in preventing motor vehicle crashes and ensure that the roadways remain as safe as possible during travel.

MEDIA RELEASE

Tearon Pacheco-Fernandez

The Hawai’i Police Department is searching for a 14-year-old girl reported as missing from Hilo since November 13.

Tearon Pacheco-Fernandez, is described as 4-foot-9, about 110 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Police ask that anyone with information on her whereabouts call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (3/9/10)

An autopsy conducted Monday (March 8) on Kimo K. Elderts, 28, who was involved in a two-vehicle crash on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway, .3 miles south of the 71 mile-marker on Saturday (March 6) concluded that he died of natural causes and not from injuries sustained in the crash.

The traffic fatality count was reduced to eight compared with four at this time last year.

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (3/8/10)

Police traffic investigators have identified a 28-year-old Hilo man who died Saturday (March 6) from injuries he sustained in a two vehicle crash on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway, .3 miles south of the 71-mile marker.

The victim was identified as Kimo K. Elderts of a Hilo address.

Responding to a 1:15 a.m. call, South Kohala patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1989 Honda four-door sedan and traveling north on the highway when he crossed the centerline and collided with a 2010 Kia multi-purpose vehicle traveling south.

The driver of the Kia, a 21-year-old woman from Kailua-Kona, and her passenger, a 28-year-old man from Kamuela, were transported by Fire Rescue personnel to North Hawaii Community Hospital.

The woman was flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu and was listed in critical condition.

The passenger was still confined to North Hawaii Community Hospital.

Both drivers were not wearing their seat belts while the front seat passenger was.

The victim was pronounced dead at 5:28 a.m. at Kona Community Hospital.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved but speed was a factor in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call Officer Andres Fojas at 961-8889.

Media Release compiled by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Fire/rescue crews responded to a 1:14 a.m. alarm Saturday (March 6) for a two car high speed crash on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway near the 72 mile marker which closed the roadway.

Two compact vehicles were involved in the head-on collision. One car had a lone driver pinned in the vehicle and pronounced dead on the scene.

The second car had a driver in serious condition who was pinned in the vehicle. A front seat passenger was in serious condition and free from the vehicle.

The highway was closed to traffic during the rescue of the pinned victims, to clear debris and for the police investigation. Both the driver and passenger of the second vehicle were taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital by medic units.

Hawaii County Civil Defense reported that police re-opened the highway to traffic at 6:40 a.m.

MEDIA RELEASE

Hawai’i Police Department detectives are requesting the public’s help in identifying two suspects in a reported robbery on Banyan Drive on Sunday, February 21.

A 29-year-old woman reported that she was walking along Banyan Drive fronting the Otto Rose banyan tree around 8:45 p.m. when she was accosted by two women who beat her and stole her purse. The victim received injuries to her head, face and neck.

The first suspect is described as a local female in her early 20s, approximately 5-foot-8, with a skinny build and dark hair. She was last seen wearing a striped tube-top and dark pants.

The second suspect is described as a local female, approximately 5-foot-4, wearing shorts and a short, tight jacket that may have been white.

The shorter of the two women took the victim’s bag and then both suspects immediately left the area. The shorter suspect ran toward Coconut Island and the taller suspect ran toward the Naniloa hotel.

Police ask that anyone with information about this case or anyone who may have witnessed this incident call Lieutenant Mitch Kanehailua at 961-2252 or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island Police are renewing their request for information about the apparent poisoning of a dog in Hilo in November.

A Hilo man reported that his English Mastiff, which was in a fenced yard in upper Waiakea Uka, began throwing up and died on November 16. The dog was valued at $2,500.

A veterinarian who performed a post-mortem examination on the dog found chunks of potato containing rat poison.

Police are investigating the case as a cruelty to animals investigation.

Police ask that anyone with any information about this case call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

MEDIA RELEASE

Grant Dohne

Grant Dohne was last heard from Saturday (February 27). He may be in Puna or Ka’u.

He is described as Caucasian, 5-foot-9, 170 pounds with short brown hair and hazel eyes.

Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

As of Friday March 5, 2010, the following individuals are wanted by the Hawaii Police Department because of outstanding warrants:

Dustin B. Coles, 30, Pahoa
Jason Colgan, 32, Keaau
Jens K. Coloma, 24, Waikoloa
Rafael Colon Jr., 36, Kailua Kona
Roland D. Colyer, 50, Kealakekua
Andrea M. Combs, 36, Pahoa
Logan J. Condon, 21, Kailua Kona
Jesse Conley, 33, Kapaau
Jenne Conner, 19, Holualoa
Jacob N. Conol, 27, Mountain View
Froylan L. Contreras, 26, Kailua Kona
Sergio S. Contreras, 40, Pahoa
Douglas R. Cordeiro, 29, Mountain View
David B. Cordeiro, 28, Mountain View
Ives Cordeiro, 47, Mountain View or Waianae
Todd Cornelison, 49, Kailua Kona
Garth S. Corpus, 41, Kailua Kona
Jason K. Corpuz, 41, Waianae
Dane I. Correa, 20, Hilo
John H. Correa, 36, Mililani
Richard N. Correa, 47, Hilo
Sarah L. Correa, 20, Kailua Kona
Kehaulani Correia, 42, Glenwood
Keahealani J. Correll, 29, Hilo
Nubia Cortez, 32, Kailua Kona

Persons who know a warrant is out for their arrest are advised to report to the nearest police station to avoid having an officer go to their home or workplace to arrest them.

This is the official list from the Hawaii County Police Department

Contact information for police here

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (3/4/10)

Kory Une

Kory S. Une, 27, was charged at 4 p.m. Wednesday (March 3) with unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and third-degree theft.

On Tuesday (March 2) Kona patrol officers responded to an 1:11 p.m. report of a man entering a sedan near the Lyman’s surf area on Ali’i Drive. A witness reported that the man removed a fanny pack and baseball cap from the car and then left the area in a green sports-utility vehicle. Police obtained a license plate number of the SUV and a description of the suspect.

A half-hour later, officers located the SUV at the Kahalu’u state housing complex and arrested Une.

Police recovered the baseball cap and the fanny pack but not all of its contents.

Une remains in the Kona police cell block in lieu of $1,500 bail pending his initial court appearance Thursday (March 4).

MEDIA RELEASE (3/3/10)

A Hilo man was arrested Tuesday (March 2) in connection with an unlawful entry into a motor vehicle in Kona.

Kona patrol officers responded to an 1:11 p.m. report of a man entering a sedan near the Lyman’s surf area on Ali’i Drive. A witness reported that the man removed a fanny pack and baseball cap from the car and then left the area in a green sports-utility vehicle. Police obtained a license plate number of the SUV and a description of the suspect.

A half-hour later, officers located the SUV at the Kahalu’u state housing complex and arrested 27-year-old Kory S. Une of Hilo. He is being held at the Kona police cellblock while detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section continue the investigation.