Keaau man charged in alleged break-in

Police have charged a 29-year-old Keaau man with various offenses after being caught in the act of an alleged break-in Wednesday in Puna.

Shortly before 11:45 a.m., a 42-year-old Hawaiian Paradise Park man called police and reported hearing noises from a nearby house where the occupant was not home. Responding officers discovered Ronald Keiki Lopes Jr. in the house in the process of dismantling a solar power system.

Officers also saw an ice pipe with residue and syringes that were visible on the front seat of the car Lopes drove to the scene.

Lopes was arrested and taken to the Hilo police cellblock. On Thursday, he was charged with first-degree burglary and two counts each of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia. His bail was set at $65,000 and his initial court appearance was set for Friday afternoon.

Lt. Gregory Esteban of the Hilo Criminal Investigations Section credited the Police Department’s partnership with the community for the arrest.

“Citizens are playing a more active role in protecting their communities and, as a result, programs such as Neighborhood Watch and Crime Stoppers are successful,” he said. “Those extra sets of eyes have proven invaluable in effective police work.”

Police continue to ask that anyone with information on burglaries contact either Detective John Rodrigues Jr. at 961-2384 or jrodrigues@co.hawaii.hi.us or Detective Royce Serrao at 961-8810 or rpserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.