KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Island police have charged a 44-year old Kona man with a variety of offenses after police initially determined the man being involved in a burglary that occurred in the downtown Kailua-Kona area between July 31 to Aug. 1.
On Monday, Area II Special Enforcement Unit officers located Paleka in the Old Industrial Area of Kailua-Kona and arrested him on the strength of warrant for a burglary which involved the theft of swords, cash, and checks from a business located near the 75-5000 block on Kuakini Highway.
Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation and determined Paleka having involvement in a number of thefts and burglaries in the Kona District.
On Oct. 13, during the 2018 Ironman Triathlon, a burglary occurred at a business located near the 75-5000 block on Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona where four air conditioning units were stolen. The air conditioning units have not been recovered.
On Oct. 17, another burglary occurred near the 75-5000 block on Kaiwi Street with numerous power tools and hand tools were taken. Several of the stolen tools have been recovered.
Between Jan. 2-11, a silver 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan bearing license plate NT796 was removed from a business located near the 73-4000 block on Hulikoa Drive in Kailua-Kona. This vehicle is still reported as stolen and has not been located.
Between Jan. 11-16, a residence located near the 73-4000 block of Hawaii Belt Road was burglarized and power tools including a Festool, Model No. TS75 circular saw with 10-inch blade, Bosch chop saw with 12-inch blade, Hitachi brand nail gun were taken. An alto saxophone and a red Honda CRF50 dirt bike were also stolen from the residence.
Between Jan. 14-23, a residence located near the 73-1000 block on Akamai Street was burglarized and a .44 caliber handgun, .44 caliber ammunition, coins, and jewelry were stolen.
On Jan. 17, a burglary occurred at a business located near the 75-5000 block on Alii Drive where numerous tools including a drill, grinds, nail guns, saws, clamps, a sander, tool box, and Stabila level were stolen.
On Tuesday, Paleka was arrested and charged for four counts of burglary in the second degree, two counts of burglary in the first degree, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information, and theft in the third degree.
Paleka’s bail was set at $47,500. He is currently being held at the Kona Police Station awaiting his initial court appearance today.
Anyone with information regarding the stolen items are asked to call Detective Carrie Akina of the Area II Criminal Investigations Section at (808) 326-4646, extension 277.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.