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Arrests made in Home Depot “Zip-Tie” hoax

by Thunda

Report No. 20-051492

Michael Glendon

Kalena Hoopii

Kamea-Aloha Wong

Hawaiʻi Island Police have arrested and charged three Puna residents with several offenses stemming from a disturbance in the parking lot of Home Depot in Hilo on July 7, 2020. 

The suspects have been identified as 38-year-old Michael Glendon, of Volcano; 24-year-old Kalena Hoopii, of Volcano; and, 31-year-old Kamea-Aloha Wong, of Mountain View.

On July 7th, shortly after 1:10 p.m., South Hilo Patrol officers responded to a call of a disturbance in the parking lot of Home Depot in Hilo. Upon arrival, officers were contacted by Hoopii who reported that she had exited the store and noticed a “zip-tie” attached to her vehicle. She reported she had left the area, and then returned a short time later and blocked one of the parking lot entrances with her vehicle. At that time, a 55-year-old Pahoa man was attempting to exit the parking lot and reportedly entered Hoopii’s vehicle in an attempt to move it. He was then confronted by Hoopii and reportedly assaulted her. He was subsequently arrested for second-degree Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle, and third-degree Assault.

The Hawaiʻi Island Police Area I Criminal Investigation Division – Special Enforcement Unit continued this investigation. After reviewing hours of video surveillance from Home Depot and interviewing witnesses, police determined that Hoopii pulled into the parking lot, exited her vehicle, went into the store and never returned to her vehicle. When she entered the store she met up with Wong and then reported to a store associate that there was a “zip-tie” placed on her vehicle while she was within the store. Glendon was observed entering the parking lot approximately one minute after Hoopii. He then blocks two of the parking lot entrances with vehicles. Glendon is then seen moving Hoopii’s vehicle and parking it to block the Railroad Avenue parking lot entrance. From the time Hoopii exits her vehicle, until Glendon moves it, no one else touched her vehicle. Once all three parking lot entrances were blocked, Glendon was observed walking around the parking lot with a “Lei O Mano,” which is a Hawaiian shark tooth war club.

Glendon, Wong, and Hoopii, can also be seen assaulting the 55-year-old Pahoa man who was attempting to exit the parking lot. He was initially punched in the face by Hoopii, he is then tackled to the ground by Wong, and Glendon then approaches with the Lei O Mano and repeatedly punches the man about the head, face, and upper body. 

During the course of this investigation, arrest warrants were obtained for Glendon, Wong, and Hoopii.

On Thursday, (July 16), Hoopii was arrested and charged for third degree Assault, and Unsworn Falsification to Authorities. Her bail was set at $2,000. Wong was arrested and charged with third degree Assault, and second degree Unlawful Imprisonment. His bail was set at $2,000.

On Friday, (July 17), Glendon was arrested and charged for third degree Assault, Deadly Weapons Prohibited, second degree Unlawful Imprisonment, and Refusal to Provide Ingress or Egress. His bail is set at $7,000.

On Monday, (July 13), upon review of this investigation, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney announced they were dropping all charges against the 55-year-old Pahoa man.

In recent weeks there have been rumors and stories on social media regarding “zip-ties” on vehicles being connected to possible abductions and human trafficking. The Hawaiʻi Police Department cannot confirm any validity to that in this case, or any other. Reporting such fallacies may not only be illegal, but it also spreads unnecessary fear within our community.

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