Hawai‘i Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 37-year-old Suliana Tui of Kea‘au in regards to recent crimes in the Umauma area in the Hāmākua District. She is also wanted on two outstanding bench warrants.
On Thursday, April 21, 2022, a man and woman later identified as Brian Elizares Villasista Jr. and Suliana Tui, in what is believed to be the same white Dodge Durango, license plate ZGC474, passed a counterfeit $100 bill to purchase items from a business in the Umauma area.
Then on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, unknown suspects operating a white 2006 Dodge Durango entered an Umauma business while it was closed and reportedly stole gasoline from three vehicles and two vehicle batteries.
A couple of weeks later around 3:50 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2022, it was reported that a white Dodge Durango was seen driving through a gate at a business in the Umauma area with a trailer attached and a UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) on the trailer. However, the UTV became dislodged from the trailer resulting in the suspects disconnecting the trailer from the vehicle and fleeing the scene.
Two days later on Monday, May 16, another UTV—a red 2020 Honda Pioneer—was reported stolen from the same business.
Through investigative efforts by Hāmākua Patrol, Hilo Patrol, and Hilo Community Policing Officers, it’s believed that the suspects in these crimes are Suliana Tui and Brian Elizares Villasista Jr. While Brian Villasista Jr. was arrested in Puna on Friday, May 20, for his outstanding warrants, Suliana Tui is still at large.
Suilana Tui is described as having a tan complexion, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 140 pounds, with wavy black hair and brown eyes. She has two outstanding bench warrants for $50,000 each and is also wanted for questioning regarding the $100 counterfeit bill.
Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Tui or the stolen Honda Pioneer UTV to call the police department’s non-emergency 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. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.