On (April 30) at about 2:20 a.m. while conducting area checks at the 76-6000 block of Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona, a man dressed in dark-colored clothing was observed on the property damaging and removing items.
Upon seeing Officers, 52-year-old Paul Ebel immediately ran away on foot. Officers gave pursuit but lost him in the heavy brush. Shortly after that, Officers located a vehicle parked along Lako St., where they noticed a partially opened trunk, containing two five-gallon gas containers.
Officers located Ebel on Lako St. and took him into custody. After obtaining consent to search the vehicle, the gasoline tanks, funnel, hoses, dark-colored clothing and various tools commonly used for theft (bolt cutter, crowbar, and gloves) were located. Also located was an immeasurable amount of a crystal-like substance within a glass smoking pipe and a sandwich-sized zip lock baggie containing a crystal-like residue, weighing 2.6 grams, both of which tested presumptive positive for Methamphetamine.
Ebel was arrested for one count of Criminal Property Damage, one count of Theft, one count of Attempted Theft, one count of Promoting a Dangerous Drug, and one count of Mandatory Quarantine (Emergency Proclamation) from a business establishment.
Working in conjunction with the Kona Prosecutor’s Office, Ebel was later charged for the following offenses:
Criminal Property Damage 1, Theft I, Attempted Theft 3, Promoting a Dangerous Drug 3, Mandatory Quarantine.
Total Bail is set at $37,000.00
Ebel remains in police custody at the Kealakehe Police Station Cellblock, pending his initial court appearance in July 2020.