Hawai‘i police have arrested three individuals on theft and drug offenses in relation to a theft that occurred at a business in Kona on Thursday, August 25, 2022.
Officers from the Area II Vice Section were conducting operations at a business establishment in the 73-5000 block of Olowalu Street when they observed several parties exiting the business with a large quantity of high-value items. The individuals appeared to be trying to quickly load the items into a vehicle and leave the area.
Officers attempted to contact the parties to further investigate the incident. As officers approached the vehicle and identified themselves as police officers, the driver of the vehicle abruptly reversed in an attempt to flee the area. Officers ran after the vehicle, which stopped, and they attempted to make contact a second time. As officers again identified themselves as police officers and attempted to remove the four parties from the vehicle an officer’s service weapon was discharged.
All occupants were removed from the vehicle and subsequently arrested for theft.
During the course of the investigation, detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section verified that three of the four arrested individuals were responsible for stealing multiple items from the aforementioned business. Following the execution of a search warrant on the suspect’s vehicle, detectives recovered stolen items along with 14.4 grams of heroin and various drug paraphernalia.
On Saturday, August 27, 2022, the County Prosecutors Office charged three individuals, one male and two females, with theft and drug offenses stemming from the incident. A fourth person who was also arrested was later released pending further investigation.
The suspects and their charges include:
William Kaipo Jr.,
31, of Hilo, with one count each of second-degree theft and promoting a dangerous drug. His bail is set at $20,000.
Javonne Pu‘u
27, of Pāhoa, with one count of second-degree theft. Her bail is set at $2,000.
Kylene Medeiros
32, of Hilo, with one count of second-
degree theft. Her bail is set at $2,000.
Kaipo and Medeiros remain in police custody pending their initial court date scheduled for Monday, August 29, in Kona District Court. Pu‘u was released on bail and issued a court date of Thursday, September 22, 2022, in Kona District Court.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Sheldon Nakamoto at (808) 326-4646, ext. 228. They may also contact the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311. Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.