Police said a task force mobilized to deal with a spike in auto thefts in East Hawaii was involved in or assisted with investigations that resulted in the arrests of 27 suspects for a wide range of offenses between July 8 and Aug. 11.
Police said a task force mobilized to deal with a spike in auto thefts in East Hawaii was involved in or assisted with investigations that resulted in the arrests of 27 suspects for a wide range of offenses between July 8 and Aug. 11.
According to a written Hawaii Police Department statement, task force investigators served seven search warrants during that period, recovering 11 stolen vehicles, three firearms and stolen property taken in burglaries and automobile break-ins.
Collectively, 15 were charged with more than 100 offenses including robbery, burglary, auto theft, driving stolen vehicles, illegal possession or discharging of firearms, hindering prosecution and reckless driving, plus charges contained in bench warrants and warrants of arrest.
Those suspects were identified as Christian Olivera, Jasmine Saragosa-Taoy, Arnold “BJ” Fernandez, Juanita Grammer, Bronson Oili, Mele Gasologa, Tyler Leopoldino, Rose Peace, Clinton Souza, Jordan Kaneshiro and Dustin Samson.
Keith Wanzer, Rachel Shwery, James Artiaga and Stephen Comer were arrested and charged only on outstanding warrants.
An additional 12 suspects, Joey Camacho, Jason Mitchell, Latoyalynn Spalding-Poepoe, Jacqueline Martin, Lana Dyjor, Carolyn Galindo, Jeryka-Nycheal Tamangided, Michael Quevedo, Kristin Quevedo, Courtney Uchima, Travis Anzai and Joseph Deguair III, were arrested but later released pending investigation on myriad charges that might include auto theft, firearms and drug offenses. Some were arrested and charged with outstanding bench warrants.
Police said the task force continues to focus on reducing auto thefts by arresting and detaining suspects accountable for their actions.
Anyone who might have information about stolen vehicles is asked to call the police nonemergency line at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.