Car taken at wedding, 8 stolen checks used

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

What should have been a happy week for Ronald and Beverly Webb of Kane'ohe has turned into a nightmare.

The Webbs were at Wai'alae Beach Park Monday for the wedding of their daughter Heather when someone stole their brown 2003 Chevrolet Impala from the parking lot during the ceremony. Under the front passenger seat was Beverly Webb's purse, containing identification, credit cards and personal checks.

The Webbs immediately reported the theft to police and their financial institutions.

Despite stop-payment notice being made, the thief has cashed eight checks at three supermarkets — two on Beretania Street and one at Market City — and at a Makiki pizza restaurant through Wednesday. The Webbs, meanwhile, were advised Monday by police that an auto-theft detective would not be available to investigate their case until Tuesday at the earliest.

"I feel helpless and totally violated," Ronald Webb said. "My wife and (son) are scared because of what's happened."

Ronald Webb has been driving around East Honolulu since Tuesday, determined to find his stolen car.

"I'm out to 3 a.m. (looking for the Impala)," he added. "Sooner or later I'll find it and call police. Hopefully, they'll do more than take a report."

Byron Valdez, acting lieutenant of HPD's auto theft detail, said the unit has only eight detectives — one for each district — and the group investigated 400 cases last month. Vacations and a week-long training session have left Valdez strapped for manpower.

The license number of the stolen Impala is JYY 135. Anyone with information about the car or the thief can call 911 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com