Posted on: Saturday, August 31, 2002

'Distraction' thieves back on tourist beat

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Police Writer

A hotel security camera shows two men suspected of victimizing tourists in a 'distraction' theft. Honolulu Police Department

Police say two men who pulled off a "distraction" theft on a tourist last summer in Waikiki may be back in town working their scam for the third time since 1998.

"We feel very strongly these two have been in Waikiki before in two other very similar cases," said Honolulu police Det. Letha DeCaires of the department's CrimeStoppers program. "These guys fly in every now and then, possibly from South American countries, and pull these thefts off."

At about 8:30 a.m. July 26, a local Japanese travel executive placed his black clothes bag next to him in a hotel lobby while he took care of a group of students.

When he looked down a short time later, his bag was gone.

Hotel video surveillance cameras showed two men leaving with the victim's bag. The two closely match the description of two thieves who worked a similar distraction theft in Waikiki last summer.

In that incident July 4, 2001, a Japanese businessman reported that his carry-on bag was stolen as he checked into a Waikiki hotel.

Hotel surveillance cameras showed the two suspects working together to distract the victim and his family during the theft. The thieves then left the area together.

A similar theft also occurred in December 1998, DeCaires said.

The man taking the bags is described as in his late 30s or early 40s, of medium height and build, and wearing a light-colored baseball cap, short-sleeved dress shirt and dress pants.

His male partner, the "distracter," is described as in his late 30s, medium height and heavy build, wearing a multi-colored aloha shirt, jeans and carrying a light-colored jacket.

DeCaires said police want any information on whether the two men are still in Hawai'i and whether they have local ties. They also advise those in the visitor industry to warn guests and clients about the latest theft.

Those with information on the case are asked to call police Lt. Marie Kanealii-Ortiz at 971-2552 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

Reach Scott Ishikawa at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.