Hawaii Island police have arrested and charged a 26-year-old Ka‘u man who was wanted on several outstanding bench warrants, and for questioning in connection with other criminal investigations.
On Friday, the Hawaii Police Department’s Area II Special Enforcement Unit, along with officers assigned to the district of Ka‘u, received information regarding the location Louis Sanchez. Sanchez was located at a residence on Coconut Drive near Paradise Parkway in the Hawaii Ocean View Estates subdivision.
As officers approached, Sanchez he fled on foot from officers and ran into thick vegetation, police said. Officers were able to contain Sanchez within a one-block radius and requested additional assistance in conducting further checks for him.
Additional officers and detectives responded and with the use of a canine they were able to narrow down Sanchez’s location to the area of Paradise Parkway, near Aloha Boulevard. Police then received information that a resident had returned home to his residence on Paradise Parkway and confronted a male within his residence. Officers then conducted a check at that residence and spotted Sanchez who once again fled on foot.
Shortly after Sanchez fled, it was learned that Sanchez may have caught a ride out of the area, police said. Officers followed up on that information and were able to locate Sanchez a few blocks away on Coconut Drive. He was taken into custody and taken to the Kona Cellblock while detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section continued their investigation.
After conferring with prosecutors, Sanchez was charged Friday with one count each of burglary of a dwelling during an emergency and fourth-degree theft for the incident that had occurred earlier in the day along with three warrants that were issued for his arrest.
Sanchez was also charged with several other offenses stemming from separate investigations that he was suspected to have committed. He was charged with burglary of a building during an emergency and first-degree theft after it was determined that Aug. 25 Sanchez had entered into a workshop located on the 92-8400 block of Bamboo Lane in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision and removed numerous items. Sanchez was confronted by the workshop’s owner but fled the area prior to being apprehended.
He was also charged with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle after he was identified as the operator of a stolen vehicle that had been removed from a residence located on Plumeria Road in Kailua-Kona on Aug. 27. The victim’s vehicle was located the same day abandoned in the Hawaii Ocean View Estates subdivision.
Sanchez was also charged with second-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle after he was allegedly observed on July 10 to be within a vehicle that was removed from a residence located on Ocean View Parkway that same day. Upon officer’s arrival, Sanchez fled on foot and was unable to be apprehended.
Sanchez’s total bail was set at $36,750 pending an initial court appearance.
Anyone with information regarding who may have assisted or helped to conceal Sanchez on Friday while he evaded being captured is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 326-4646, ext. 238, or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.