Burglary and vehicle-related cases in South Kona are returning to normal levels following the apprehension of nearly a dozen people police alleged are tied to a drug-related burglary ring, said Hawaii Police Department Area II Criminal Investigations Section Capt. Chad
Burglary and vehicle-related cases in South Kona are returning to normal levels following the apprehension of nearly a dozen people police alleged are tied to a drug-related burglary ring, said Hawaii Police Department Area II Criminal Investigations Section Capt. Chad Basque.
“It’s going right back to normal numbers again,” Basque said Wednesday about police efforts following a rash of reported burglaries, car thefts and items taken from vehicles during August and September in South Kona.
Police efforts focused on quashing the crime spree, which included a 20-officer task force, will continue, though police believe they’ve apprehended the main culprits. In all, 11 people have been arrested in connection with the crime spree. Several of those arrested are facing offenses for hiding fugitives.
“We’ve got all the main players and now we are looking at all the peripheral people that need to be identified for a successful prosecution,” he explained. “We’re still going at it while we have the dedicated resources and manpower.”
Between Sept. 1 and Wednesday, police opened three burglary investigations in South Kona and 10 in North Kona, Basque said explaining the South Kona area averages between two and three burglary cases monthly. In all of September 2011, South Kona had nine reports and North Kona had 15.
Also through Wednesday, car theft cases initiated in South Kona totalled four, three of which have been identified as unfounded, and nine in North Kona, Basque said. In September 2011, North Kona notched three and South Kona none.
Car break-ins within the Kona District totalled 15, with two of those cases initiated in South Kona, during the first 26 days of September. In September 2011, there were 13 cases in the district with seven of those in South Kona. The seven South Kona cases stemmed from one break-in that included multiple theft victims, Basque explained.
While crime numbers may be nearing what police say are normal levels, officers caution that people need to continue to be wary and report any suspicious behavior.
“There is never a time, even if there is no crime spree, to let your guard down,” Basque explained. “We have always got to be protective and vigilant of ourselves.”
To help residents protect themselves from crime, the department offers an array of information on its website at hawaiipolice.com/community/community-policing. Residents can also call the Community Policing Office for a home security check at 326-4646, ext. 259, in West Hawaii or 961-2350 in East Hawaii.
