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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 8:08 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, 2008

2 suspects arrested in Big Island robbery

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Darren Joao

Courtesy of Hawai‘i County police

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Sven D. Cruz

Courtesy Hawai‘i County police

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Hawai'i County police today identified two suspects in its ongoing investigation into a home-invasion robbery at Hawaiian Acres on last Nov. 24 in which four people were kidnapped, including a juvenile female who was sexually assaulted.

Sven D. Cruz, 24, of Kurtistown turned himself into Hilo police Thursday, a day after a media bulletin was issued describing him as a "person of interest" in the case.

On Friday, police from the Puna District arrested Darren Joao, 22, at a Fern Forest subdivision home.

Criminal Investigations Division Lt. Randall Medeiros said Cruz and Joao were later released pending further investigation on the home-invasion case.

Joao, however, is being held at the Hawai'i Community Correctional Center on a no-bail probation-revocation warrant and an outstanding $100,000 warrant. He was also arrested on two felony auto theft counts in connection with stolen vehicles found at Fern Forest residence.

Anyone with information on the home-invasion case can call Detective Reed Mahuna at (808) 961-2384, the Police Department's non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311, or CrimeStoppers at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo or (808) 329-8181 in Kona.