Updated at 3:27 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2007
Seven juveniles arrested in Molokai crime spree
Advertiser Staff
KAUNAKAKAI, Moloka'i — Seven boys ranging in age from 14 to 17 were arrested this week in connection with a crime spree that targeted several homes, a nonprofit agricultural co-op and Moloka'i High School.The group is believed to be responsible for at least eight cases that occurred between Oct. 11 and 15, according to Lt. Timothy Gapero of the Maui Police Department. The crimes include burglaries at homes in Kualapu'u and Ho'olehua and the Hikiola Co-Op, the theft of a golf cart from a Ho'olehua home, theft of items from outside a Ho'olehua home, and criminal property damage for graffiti at the high school, Gapero said.
The golf cart and almost all of the loot, which included cash, checks, video game consoles, iPods and other electronics, were recovered by police. The suspects were released into the custody of their parents and face prosecution in Family Court.
Gapero said that on Oct. 17, Moloka'i school resource officer Jamie Winfrey received information on possible suspects in the Hikiola Co-Op break-in that allowed police to quickly apprehend the teens.
Others who assisted in the investigation are Sgt. Timothy Meyer Sr., detective Eugene Santiago and police officers Sepulona Falealii, Michael McCutcheon, Nathaniel Hubbard and Stafford Caparida.
