HILO — Police are still investigating a burglary and arson that struck a 12,000-square-foot Reliance Water Tanks warehouse in the Shipman Business Park.
HILO — Police are still investigating a burglary and arson that struck a 12,000-square-foot Reliance Water Tanks warehouse in the Shipman Business Park.
The warehouse was burglarized on the night of May 29-30 and then torched, causing more than $1 million in damage. A flatbed truck and other tools were stolen.
Verne Wood, the owner of the water tank business that served customers throughout the state, has offered a cash reward of at least $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the crime.
Police aren’t saying much at the moment.
Wood said the flatbed truck was recovered about a week ago.
A preliminary investigation found that the burglar or burglars gained entry by cutting a small hole in the wall of the warehouse, sticking an arm into the hole and opening the door from the inside. Then they apparently opened the sliding bay doors and loaded tools, tanks and other items onto the flatbed truck. They poured accelerant around the warehouse, ignited it and drove away.
Anybody with information about the fire is asked to call Todd at 961-2385.