Man charged in connection to slew of Kona burglaries

KAILUA-KONA — A 44-year-old man has been charged in connection with seven different burglary and theft related cases in the Kona District where thousands of dollars in property had been taken.

Ian Paleka, of Kona, was located by Hawaii Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit on Monday in the Old Industrial Area of Kailua-Kona and arrested on a warrant for a burglary that occurred last summer between July 31 to Aug. 1 where swords, cash and checks had been taken from a business on Kuakini Highway.

During the course of the their investigation, detectives determined Paleka was involved in several other open theft cases with the police department. The total reported financial loss is in excess of $28,000.

On Tuesday, Paleka was charged for four counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree burglary, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information and third-degree theft.

Paleka appeared for an initial appearance in District Court on Wednesday where Judge Margaret Masunaga maintained bail at $47,500 and ordered a new bail study. The 44-year-old is scheduled for a preliminary hearing this afternoon.

Paleka is also accused of stealing four air conditioning units during last year’s Ironman Triathlon on Oct. 13. The units, taken from a business near the 75-5000 block of Alii Drive, were never recovered.

Soon after, police say Paleka was involved in another burglary on Oct. 17 near the 75-5000 block of Kaiwi Street where numerous power tools and hand tools were taken, several of which have been recovered.

Paleka’s first alleged theft of the year occurred between Jan. 2-11 where a silver 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan was removed from a business near the 73-4000 block of Hulikoa Drive. The vehicle is still reported stolen and has not been located. It’s license plate bore NT796.

Between Jan. 11-16, a residence located near the 73-4000 block of Hawaii Belt Road was burglarized and power tools including a Festool, model No. TS75 circular saw with a 10-inch blade, Bosch chop saw with a 12-inch blade and a Hitachi brand nail gun were taken. An alto saxophone and a red Honda CRF50 dirt bike were also stolen from the residence.

Between Jan. 14-23, a residence located near the 73-1000 block on Akamai Street was burglarized and a .44 caliber handgun, .44 caliber ammunition, coins and jewelry were stolen.

On Jan. 17, a burglary occurred at a business located near the 75-5000 block on Alii Drive where numerous tools including a drill, grinds, nail guns, saws, clamps, a sander, tool box, and Stabila level were stolen.

Detective Carrie Akina said the suspect may be connected to other reported or unreported thefts.

Anyone with information regarding the stolen items are asked to call Detective Akina of the Area II Criminal Investigations Section at 326-4646, extension 277.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.