Puna woman facing
burglary charge
Big Island police have charged a 24-year-old Puna woman in connection with a burglary last month in Puna.
Caretakers for a Pahoa resident reported that upon returning home May 12, they discovered the house had been entered and several items had been stolen. A fleeing vehicle was linked to a suspect, identified as Cherish Shay Kualilani Torres of Pahoa. She was arrested early Tuesday morning in Ainaloa.
At 11:40 a.m. Tuesday, detectives charged Torres with first-degree burglary. Her bail was set at $5,000.
Police encourage the public to be aware of suspicious activity in their neighborhood. Call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 to report any suspicious people or vehicles.
Hilo crash victim identified
Police have identified Joseph Nieves Jr., 23, of Hilo as the man who died Friday from injuries he received in a one-vehicle crash on Kalanianaole Avenue near Kioea Street in Hilo, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Responding to an 11:06 p.m. call, Hilo patrol officers determined that a 2006 Acura sedan traveling westbound on Kalanianaole Avenue, crossed the center line, ran off the roadway and struck a utility pole and a rock wall. An 18-year-old male passenger of Hilo was taken to Hilo Medical Center for injuries he suffered in crash and later transferred to Honolulu. The driver and the passenger were both wearing their seat belts, police said.
Speed and alcohol were both factors in this crash, police said.
Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated coroners inquest and negligent injury investigations and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Anyone with information about this crash should call Officer Tuckloy Aurello at 961-8119.
This is the 18th traffic fatality on Hawaii Island this year.
Police arrest 24 for suspected drunken driving
Police arrested 24 drivers for suspected drunken driving between June 10 and Monday; seven were involved in traffic accidents; seven were younger than 21.
Police have made 594 suspected DUI arrests this year compared with 643 during the same period in 2012, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Kona officers arrested 13 motorists, South Hilo officers arrested six and Puna officers arrested five, according to police.
There have been 647 major accidents this year compared with 694 during the same period in 2012. To date, there have been 18 traffic fatalities on the Big Island compared with 14 at this time in 2012. One fatality was related to drugs; one to alcohol and two to a combination of alcohol and drugs.
By local sources
