Police Beat

Advertiser Staff

Man charged in Big Island murder

Big Island police yesterday charged John A. Hosek, 25, of Kailua, Kona, with second-degree murder in the death of a 44-year-old Kailua, Kona, man.

Police have identified the victim as Preston Kealoha Dela Cruz, whose body was found Friday. Preliminary autopsy results show that Dela Cruz was killed by a blow to the head. Hosek is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Dela Cruz's body was discovered after patrol officers went to his Ililoa Street home in the Lai'opua subdivision because he had not shown up for work earlier in that day.

Police seek help in finding stolen art

Honolulu Police are asking for help in recovering four pieces of fine art stolen from a Hale'iwa art gallery Aug. 15.

Police said the burglar or burglars smashed the front door of the Tabora Gallery Hale'iwa at 66-145 Kamehameha Highway late on Aug. 15.

Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

Wheelchair user killed by truck

One person has died and another remains in critical condition following wheelchair traffic accidents on O'ahu. A 46-year-old Kailua man died Saturday, two days after he was hit by a pickup while crossing the street in his wheelchair.

The man was crossing Kihapai Place in a crosswalk about 30 feet west of Hahani Street in Kailua Thursday when he was struck by a pickup truck driven by a 61-year-old Kailua man, police said.

A 22-year-old Honolulu man remained in critical condition at the Queen's Medical Center yesterday after being struck Friday. Police said the man was not in a crosswalk when he was hit near 'Awa and King streets. Visibility may have been a factor because of the height of the wheelchair, police said.