Hawaii Island police have located and arrested 36-year-old Jake Branch in connection with a recent burglary in Kailua-Kona.
The arrest stems from an investigation that started on May 20 when Kona Patrol and Vice Officers responded to a suspicious vehicle report above Ane Keohokalole Highway, according to the Hawaii Police Department. Upon arrival officers contacted and arrested 27-year-old Alexandra Barnes-Carrick within a vehicle for a narcotics violation. Officers also observed Branch, who was located outside of the vehicle and subsequently left the area.
After further investigation it was determined that the vehicle was taken from a burglary that had recently occurred in the 77-6000 block of Leilani Street in Kailua-Kona, according to police. The vehicle was towed to the Kealakehe Police Station where a search warrant was served and items within the vehicle connected Barnes-Carrick to the burglary investigation.
Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation and obtained eyewitness statements that identified Branch as the operator of the stolen vehicle, at which time an arrest warrant for Branch was obtained.
On Friday afternoon, detectives charged Barnes-Carrick with one count of promotion of a detrimental drug, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, burglary of a dwelling during an emergency, first-degree theft, and three counts of violations of conditions of release. Her bail was set at $271,000.
Later Friday, Branch was charged with one count of promotion of a detrimental drug, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, burglary of a dwelling during an emergency, first-degree theft, and three counts of violations of conditions of release. His bail was set at $271,000.
Both parties were held at the Kealakehe Police Station pending their initial court appearance held Tuesday. Bail was maintained for both Branch and Barnes-Carrick pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday.
Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Kayla Makino-Kahuli at (808) 326-4646, ext. 227, or the department’s nonemergency line at (808) 935-3311.