Woman shot with arrow at Hapuna Beach park
Detectives with the Area II Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) have launched a second-degree assault investigation after a woman was struck by an arrow while walking to her car at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area early Wednesday evening.
At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, South Kohala patrol officers responded to the area of Kawaihae and Akulani Road after a 31-year-old female victim reported she had been shot. The victim reported that she was walking back to her vehicle which was parked at the northern end of the main parking lot at the Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area just after sunset. As she approached her vehicle, she heard what sounded like a gunshot in the immediate area and initially did not know she had been injured. A short time later, she realized she suffered a large bleeding laceration to her left bicep. She immediately left the area in her vehicle and called for medical and police assistance. Officers located the victim in the area of Kawaihae and Akulani Road and observed an arrow lodged within the driver’s side rear quarter panel. The length and type of arrow was determined to be consistent with arrows designed for use in crossbows.
The victim was transported to the Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital by Hawaii Fire Department medics where she was treated for her injuries and later released.
Area II CIS are requesting the public’s assistance with information related to this incident and identifying the responsible individual(s). Those with information are asked to contact Detective Cacique Melendez at (808) 326-4646, ext. 281, or via email at cacique.melendez@hawaiicounty.gov or the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.
Two Honokaa men charged with agricultural theft
Kellen Tolentino, 41 and Joshua Reding-Kellogg, 38 were arrested and charged in relation to the theft of over seventy-five pounds of oranges from a Kalopa farm on September 2, 2023.
Tolentino’s and Reding-Kellogg’s bail was each set at $2,250.00. The men made their initial appearances on Tuesday afternoon in Hilo District Court. Both were later released on supervised release and ordered to return for preliminary hearings on September 19, 2023 in South Kohala District Court.
Tolentino and Reding-Kellogg were each charged with second-degree theft and second-degree criminal trespassing. Second-degree theft is a class C felony offense which carries a penalty of either a five- year prison term or four years probation and up to twelve months in jail.
Captain Cook Man charged with theft of license plates and street signs
Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) arrested and charged 53 year-old Christopher Kroncke with second-degree theft as part of their investigation into the theft more than 50 specialty license plates, as well as state and county street signs in West Hawaii.
After receiving numerous reports of thefts of specialty license plates, as well as state and county signs, Area II CIS investigators identified Kroncke as a suspect during the course of their investigation.
On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, shortly after 3:30 p.m., Area II CIS detectives, Kona Community Policing officers, and Kona Patrol officers executed a search warrant at Kroncke’s residence in Captain Cook to search for any of the reported stolen items.
Upon execution of the search warrant, police recovered 51 state and county street signs, with a total value of $11,455. These signs included stop signs, highway mile marker signs, street name signs, and district designation signs. Kroncke was arrested at the scene and transported to the Kealakehe Police Station pending continued investigation by CIS detectives.
On Thursday morning, September 7, 2023, after conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, detectives charged Kroncke with second-degree theft and his bail was set at $2,000. He was released after posting bail and is scheduled to appear in Kona District Court on Thursday, October 5.
Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Len Hamakado at (808)326-4646, ext. 224, or via email at Len.Hamakado@hawaiicounty.gov.
Fire broke out Wednesday night at apartment complex in Waikoloa Village.
Shortly after 8 p.m. personnel from the Waikoloa Fire Station responded to the structure fire in a two story, four unit building in the Ke Kumu Affordable Housing Apartments. HFD reported the blaze was approximately 50% involved on the first and second floors. Additional units from Puako and Waimea also responded to the blaze which was extinguished by 9 p.m.
All occupants of the building were able to make it out safely and one family dog was found hiding in the upstairs in one of the burnt units, alive and unharmed.
The Red Cross was on hand to assist those displaced by the fire.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
