Big Island police arrested a man and woman Tuesday during a park sweep aimed at deterring crime in the downtown Hilo area and along Bayfront by the Canoe Landing area.
Police were informed of a makeshift camping area near some Banyan Trees at the Hilo Bay Front Soccer Field, according to the Hawaii Police Department. Police found rubbish and debris left around the trees. The debris was removed and area cleaned by the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation personnel.
Police continued sweeping the area where complaints have been received concerning criminal activity and loitering near the park areas. While on Bay Front Highway, police found a car parked with illegal motor vehicle stickers and stopped to investigate the matter.
Inside the vehicle, police found a man and a woman, and after identifying the couple learned they both had warrants for their arrest. While arresting the couple, police reportedly found drugs and associated drug paraphernalia within the vehicle, leading to the vehicle’s recovery.
A search warrant was obtained with police reportedly recovering 10 grams of methamphetamine, packets used for storing methamphetamine, and a glass smoking pipe used for consuming methamphetamine.
Police charged Kole Race-Joaquin of Honokaa with a drug offense, drug paraphernalia and he was being held on the warrants and $25,000 bail for the drug offenses.
Police also arrested Cheryse Levita of Paauilo for the drug offenses and unsworn falsification, after she provided false information related to her identification to police and was processed under a false name. She was properly identified as Levita via her fingerprints.
Levita was released pending investigation, and is being held on the warrants issued by the court.
Police will continue to conduct patrols and enforce laws at Hilo Bay Front by the Canoe Landing and in the various county parks in the downtown Hilo area, working with the community on complaints.
The public is encouraged to call the Hawaii Police Department at 935-3311 and report crimes and criminal activity in the area.
