Local news in brief for Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Three Hilo residents accused of crimes related to stolen checks
Three people have been arrested and charged with various financial crime offenses stemming from a theft of mail that occurred in January.
In February, a financial institution in Hilo was alerted about nine drafted personal checks belonging to a member’s checking account that were suspicious in nature, police said.
The victim reported that she had ordered a book of new checks to be delivered to her residential mailbox, but never received the checks. The victim reported that her mailbox door was observed to have been left open on several occasions in the month of January, and believed her checks were stolen.
Three individuals were later identified depositing the victim’s stolen and forged checks into their own accounts.
A total of $11,000 was transferred out of the victim’s account from the stolen checks, according to police.
Police obtained arrest warrants for the suspects who were all later located, arrested and charged.
The suspects have been identified as the following:
— Joseph K. Medeiros-Alidon, 25, of Hilo was arrested and charged with numerous theft, forgery and other offenses related to the stolen checks. His bail was set at $42,000.
— January R. Andres, 48, of Hilo, was arrested and charged with four offenses related to the stolen checks. Bail was set at $8,000.
— Frances A. Matias, 49, of Hilo was arrested and charged with four offenses related to the stolen checks. Bail was set at $7,000.
Police recommend residents install locked mailboxes at their residence in order to help deter theft of incoming mail, as well as dropping off outgoing mail at a secure USPS drop box or post office.
Anyone with information relative to this investigation is encouraged to call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311. They may also contact Detective Amy Omaya at (808) 961-2381 or via email at amy.omaya@hawaiicounty.gov
Waikoloa man dies in car crash
A 27-year-old Waikoloa man died in a single-vehicle collision Tuesday near the 5-mile marker on Waikoloa Road (Highway 191), which is located in Waikoloa.
The 27-year-old male driver has been identified as Samiu Kealoha Kama Olevao.
Officers responding to a 1:34 a.m. call found that a mauka-bound silver 1998 Lexus ES300 sedan failed to negotiate a right turn, causing it to cross the double-solid yellow lines.
After crossing the center line, the vehicle went off the makai shoulder of the road, rolled several times and landed on a rock embankment. The driver was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled. He was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where was pronounced dead at 9:09 a.m.
A 4-year-old girl and 3-year-old girl who were passengers in the Lexus were treated and released at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital.
Police believe that speed and impairment are factors in the crash. Olevao was not wearing his seat belt.
Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Dayson Taniguchi at 326-4646 ext. 229 or dayson.taniguchi@hawaiicounty.gov.
Olevao’s death is the 19th traffic fatality this year compared to nine at this time last year.
Suspect sought in Hilo burglary
South Hilo patrol officers responded Monday at about 3:12 a.m. to a burglary alarm at a business located on the 500 block of West Kawailani Street in Hilo.
During their investigation, officers determined that between 3:08 a.m. and 3:17 a.m., a suspect arrived at the business and entered the building by prying open the rear door with a crowbar.
Upon entering the business, the suspect proceeded to an ATM and pulled off the front cover, police said. The suspect then pried and struck the lower door of the ATM with the crowbar in an attempt to gain access to its currency.
As police arrived in the area, the suspect fled by running out of the rear door and was last seen heading west on foot. Officers conducted checks in the surrounding neighborhoods, but no suspects were located.
The business’ video surveillance system captured images of the suspect.
Those with information regarding this crime or the suspects identity may contact Detective Christopher Jelsma at (808) 961-2386 or at christopher.jelsma@hawaiicounty.gov of the police departments nonemergency line at (808) 935-3311
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island wide Crime Stoppers number at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
