On Sunday, August 15, 2021, at 9:10 p.m. Kona patrol officers responded to the 75-200 block of Malulani Drive in Kailua-Kona after a 77-year-old woman reported that she observed an unknown man within her vehicle when she went to leave a friend’s house. The woman reported that she confronted the man, who fled on foot, and that she believed he took an item of hers from her vehicle.
While investigating that incident, police received a report of an unknown man walking around a residence on Malulani Drive near the first incident. Patrol officers responded to that residence and began canvassing the area for the suspect. While conducting checks of the area, officers located several items they believed to be stolen.
At 7:00 a.m. the following morning, Monday, August 16, Kona patrol officers responded to an apartment complex located on the 75-5700 block of Kuakini Highway after a 59-year-old man reported that an unknown man was sleeping within the victim’s vehicle. The suspect fled on foot after being confronted by the victim. After fleeing the area, police determined that the suspect left behind several items that also were believed to be stolen.
Later that same morning, Kona patrol officers once again responded to a residence on the 75-200 block of Malulani Drive after a 63-year old man reported items missing from his garage and from within a vehicle.
Kona patrol officers and a detective from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section continued the investigation and determined that another vehicle on the same block, owned by a 59-year old woman, had also been broken into. The woman reported that items were missing from her vehicle as well.
Investigators determined that 25-year-old Lane Turner was responsible for all these crimes.
On Monday afternoon at 1:10 p.m., a Kona patrol officer spotted Turner walking on Kuakini Highway and attempted to contact him. Turner ran from the officer and made his way to Ali‘i Drive near Hale Halawai where he jumped into the ocean and swam 200 yards away from the shoreline. With assistance from the Hawaii Fire Department, members of HPD’s Area II Special Enforcement Unit boarded HFD’s rescue boat and apprehended Turner at sea without incident. Turner was transported to the Kona Police Station where he was held while the investigation continued into the incidents that had occurred on August 15 and 16.
As the Complaint alleges, Turner was charged with Burglary in the First Degree, two counts of Unauthorized Entry Into Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, Attempted Unauthorized Control of Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, and Criminal Tampering in the Second Degree. Review of court records indicates that at the time of his arrest Turner was on supervised release for unrelated felony matters.
Turner made his initial court appearance for the contempt of court charge in Kona District Court on Tuesday, August 17, and is scheduled to make his initial court appearance for the remaining charges on Wednesday, August 18, in Kona District Court. He remains in custody in lieu of $55,500.00 bail.
Anyone who may have information on any of these incidents, or may be missing items from their residence in the area of Malulani Drive, is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 326-4646 ext. 238; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
The investigation was handled by Detective Donovan Kohara Area II Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ka’uanoe Jackson.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in East Hawai‘i or (808) 329-8181 in West Hawai‘i.