Hawaii Island police have arrested eight individuals stemming from two separate incidents reported Thursday afternoon at the Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo.
Three of the individuals are adult males and five are juveniles. The adults were identified Friday morning as 21-year-old Troy Kuhns-Lono of Volcano, 20-year-old Shon Sare of Keaau, and 18-year-old Hayden Bruce of Keaau, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Shortly before 3 p.m. Thursday, South Hilo Patrol officers responded to a report of a burglary in-progress within a department store located within the Prince Kuhio Plaza, according to police. It was reported that a male suspect had forcibly broken a plate glass window to the establishment and entered the store which was closed for business. Upon entering the store, the male suspect was confronted by store employees. The suspect then exited the store and fled the area on foot.
The retail establishment was closed due to the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, according to police.
While officers were responding to the active burglary complaint, police dispatch received a report from another department store at the Prince Kuhio Plaza, of three males stealing clothing items and leaving the area on foot.
Police were contacted by a witness in the area that was able to provide a description of the responsible individuals, the vehicle they were operating, as well as a direction of travel. A short time later, officers located the vehicle traveling south on Konoelehua Avenue near Ikaika Street.
A traffic stop was conducted and the eight individuals were arrested and transported to the Hilo Police Station. The vehicle was recovered as evidence and towed to the Hilo Police Station, pending approval and execution of a search warrant to recover the stolen merchandise.
The five juveniles were processed and four of them were then released to the custody of their guardian. The fifth juvenile was arrested on an outstanding juvenile arrest warrant and transferred to the custody of juvenile probation. The adult suspects, Kuhns-Lono, Sare, and Bruce, remain in police custody pending investigation.
Anyone who may have witnessed either of these incidents should contact Detective Tuckloy Aurello of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section at (808) 961-8843 or email tuckloy.aurello@hawaiicounty.gov., Detective Gavin Kagimoto of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section at (808) 961-2276 or email gavin.kagimoto@hawaiicounty.gov., or the police department’s nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Police want to remind the public that in light of the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) Emergency Proclamation, there are enhanced penalties for certain crimes, to include but not limited to, burglary, theft, and robbery.