Police are warning West Hawaii about a rash of auto thefts with six reported in the last two weeks. Police are warning West Hawaii about a rash of auto thefts with six reported in the last two weeks. ADVERTISING According
Police are warning West Hawaii about a rash of auto thefts with six reported in the last two weeks.
According to a written statement, the vehicles being targeted are early model Honda sedans and Toyota Tacomas. The area has also experienced an increase in auto break-ins, and urge the public to safeguard their vehicles by locking them and not leaving valuables inside.
Police say they’ve arrested 28-year-old Matthew Guba, but said in the release they believe his arrest is unrelated to the auto theft spree.
An officer on routine patrol on June 20 reportedly saw Guba driving a sedan. After confirming with police dispatchers that Guba was unlicensed, the officer attempted to stop him using lights and sirens, but Guba allegedly sped away, recklessly passing other motorists.
The pursuit was called off for the safety of the public, but police searched for the car and found it abandoned, the door left ajar and the engine idling, at the intersection of Kiloa and Kinue roads, police said. The car had been reported stolen earlier that afternoon.
An all-points bulletin was issued and Guba was arrested late Saturday night on suspicion of auto theft and resisting an order to stop. He was charged on Monday morning with those offenses, plus reckless driving and driving without a license.
He remains at the police cellblock on $13,000 bail pending a court appearance scheduled for today.
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