Police Beat
Advertiser Staff
Two men plead guilty in auto scam
Two men accused of submitting false invoices to the city to hide the fact that a civilian worker at HPD was buying high performance automobile parts for his own use with city money pleaded guilty yesterday to theft.
In exchange for the second-degree theft guilty pleas, prosecutors will drop other charges against Vernon Isono, 46, and his brother John, 44.
Prosecutor Randal Lee said that from 1993 to 1999, the Isono brothers, who operated Larry's Auto Parts in Kaimuki, billed HPD for standard automobile parts to cover the cost of high performance parts the two were providing to Victor Hasebe, former HPD automotive equipment superintendent.
Each of the Isono brothers has agreed to repay the city $3,333. Hasebe goes to trial on theft charges in March.
Former HPD storekeeper Winston Owan pleaded no contest to theft Tuesday.
Maunawili fire kills two horses
Two horses died in a stable fire that broke out late Tuesday night in Maunawili.
Fire investigators were still checking into the origin of the blaze, reported just before 11 p.m. at 1015 Auloa Road.
A total of 34 firefighters fought the fire, which was extinguished at 12:10 a.m., said Capt. Richard Soo. Losses were estimated at $60,000 for the stable and $45,000 for the horses and other contents.
Police seeking two in robbery
Police want help in finding two men who entered a car stopped at an intersection and robbed the 20-year-old driver on Sept. 30.
The first robber opened the front passenger door at about 12:30 a.m. while the driver waited at the intersection of Ala Moana Boulevard and Keawe Street. He ordered the victim to drive, showing him a blue-handled butterfly knife, and demanded money and jewelry. The second robber rode in the back.
The driver was ordered to pull over near the Zippy's restaurant on Vineyard Boulevard, where the suspects fled the car.
The first man is described as in his 20s, about 5-foot-8, 140 pounds with a slim build. He had a blond crew cut, a fair complexion, a goatee and tattoos. He was wearing a black-and-white plaid shirt, jeans and work shoes.
The second man is described as in his 40s, about 5-foot-8, 160 pounds with a medium build. He had brown hair and beard, and a ruddy complexion. He wore a red plaid long-sleeved shirt.
Call Detective Joyce Alapa at 529-3115 or leave anonymous tips with CrimeStoppers, 955-8300.
Two sought in armed robberies
Police yesterday were searching for two bandanna-wearing suspects who authorities believe have committed four armed robberies in Pearl City and Waipahu in the past two weeks.
The first robbery was Nov. 17 at Peggy's Pantry on 719 Kamehameha Highway at 8:20 p.m., followed by two robberies Nov. 19 at Regalo Bakery at 94-841 Farrington Highway at 7 p.m. and Rosie's Restaurant at 94-866 Moloalo Street at 7:15 p.m.
In the two Nov. 19 robberies, police believe the robber used a stolen van that had a mix-breed dog inside. The van, with the license plate JDT 113, and the dog are still missing.
Yesterday, a man robbed the Highway Super Market at 94-908 Waipahu Street at 7:35 a.m. The robber stole the entire register and fled with another person in a car.
