A third man police say is tied to a ring committing a rash of burglaries and car crimes leaving South Kona residents fearful and frustrated is in custody. A third man police say is tied to a ring committing a
A third man police say is tied to a ring committing a rash of burglaries and car crimes leaving South Kona residents fearful and frustrated is in custody.
Joshua Watan, 31, of Captain Cook, was arrested about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday after a resident reported seeing a suspicious man sleeping outside a coffee shack in South Kona, said Hawaii Police Department Criminal Investigations Section Capt. Chad Basque. Though the caller did not know the man was Watan, police commended the resident for being vigilant and taking the time to report something odd.
Watan remains held at the Kona Police Station pending further investigation. Police have 48 hours from the time of arrest to press charges or release Watan.
Police say they are confident Watan is one of 10 people police have identified as persons of interest in connection with an uptick in crimes, including burglary, car theft and car break-ins. To date, three are in custody.
“We got him,” said Maj. James O’Connor about Watan’s suspected involvement in the organized group.
The two others, Joseph Narzisi and Ryan Jeffries-Hamar, remain incarcerated at Hawaii Community Correctional Center, unable to post bail, which Basque noted was set at $495,000 for Narzisi.
Remaining at large and sought on unrelated warrants of arrest, which Basque explained means police will take the suspects into custody when found, are Curtis Kekahuna, Sean Gregory, Danny Estocado, Keokalani Jaoquin, Michael Galon, Joel Landsborough and Nicole Adams.
Residents are asked not to approach these persons of interest, whom police said might be confrontational, but rather to call the department for assistance. A 20-police officer task force, including several ranking officers, has been established solely to quash the spree.
“We’re going to catch these individuals — there is no doubt about that,” said O’Connor. “It’s not a matter of if, but when.”
While officers may apprehend and even file charges against a person in connection with a crime, there is no guarantee that if he bails out or is released on his own recognizance, he will not commit another crime, Basque, O’Connor and West Hawaii Assistant Chief Paul Kealoha acknowledged Wednesday. Bail, Kealoha explained, is assessed to ensure a person will appear in court, not to ensure they won’t commit another crime.
Further, Kealoha added, a person who bails out is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, which can also change the terms and conditions of bail. Therefore, unless summoned for assistance, police do not check-up on the person.
“It happens, we’re well aware of it,” said Basque in response to community frustration. “It’s frustrating.”
Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney Charlene Iboshi was unable to be reached as of press time Wednesday for further information.
According to police data, burglary cases initiated in South Kona during August totaled 15 compared to two during the same period of 2011 — a 650 percent increase. Through Sept. 10, South Kona has seen three burglary cases initiated, the same as the first 10 days of September 2011.
Car thefts in South Kona generated seven cases in August, compared with one during August 2011. Two thefts have already been reported in September, up from none during September 2011. Car break-ins, according to the data, are also up with three cases reported in August compared with two during the same period of 2011.
The spike in crime also spurred a community meeting that drew nearly 200 people Tuesday night. The tone of the meeting was mostly constructive with residents appearing to want to help police solve the crimes. An array of information was disseminated, including statistics and home safety tips.
Some attendees voiced being fearful and considering using armed force, such as a gun, for protection from those committing crimes. Kealoha, O’Connor and Basque on Wednesday cautioned against turning to force, but rather to call police.
While it is a person’s constitutional right to bear arms and protect themselves and their property, Kealoha explained Wednesday the consequences of such action need to be considered beforehand. Just because a person may be defending themselves or their property does not mean they will not be investigated for homicide or attempted homicide, he said.
In the case a person opts to use such force, he explained, they would be arrested and an investigation initiated.
Take for example, the case of Kevin Metcalfe, an Ocean View man who in May 2009 fatally shot Larry Kaaihue, whom prosecutors said was on Metcalfe’s property to steal marijuana. Metcalfe, who claimed he was defending himself and his property when he shot Kaaihue as he fled the property, was arrested the day of the crime, charged and ultimately sentenced to 20 years for manslaughter after being found guilty by a jury.
“More times than not, it rests with 12 jurors,” Kealoha said about the determination of self-defense.
