An American Red Cross truck was stolen from the relief organization’s Hilo office the night before Hurricane Iselle hit the Big Island. ADVERTISING An American Red Cross truck was stolen from the relief organization’s Hilo office the night before Hurricane
An American Red Cross truck was stolen from the relief organization’s Hilo office the night before Hurricane Iselle hit the Big Island.
Volunteers discovered the vehicle was missing Thursday morning as they arrived to prepare for Iselle’s landfall.
The truck is the Red Cross’ only vehicle on the island and is used to tow its supply trailer. It was kept in a fenced area on Ululani Street, and the thief or thieves used the truck to ram a locked gate.
Barney Sheffield, Red Cross disaster coordinator for the island, said the trailer was full of supplies but left untouched.
The trailer was relocated to the Hawaii County Civil Defense warehouse with the help of the agency.
“How can anyone be so callous to steal a truck in a time of a disaster?” Sheffield said.
“We could be helping their family,” he added.
Sheffield said the supplies would be used for disaster relief following the storm or for long-term shelters. They weren’t expected to be used for the shelters Thursday.
To transport the supplies, he said he needs a truck with a hitch.
Sheffield said the Red Cross might be able to use the Civil Defense truck again, but noted it’s important for them to be self-reliant and not interfere with other response efforts.
American Red Cross Hawaii Chapter CEO Coralie Matayoshi said the organization might borrow or rent a truck.
“After the storm passes, we’ll need it to help deliver supplies,” she said. “So we need this truck.”
The truck is white with Red Cross symbols on it, and Matayoshi said she was concerned it could be used by someone impersonating Red Cross volunteers.
“Someone may use it for ulterior purposes as well,” she said, adding she isn’t sure why it was a target.
The truck bears the license plate 998HDP, police said.
Anyone who sees it is asked to call police.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
