A Hilo business was burgled Friday morning after thieves stole a van from Suisan Fish Market and used it to smash into a pawn shop.
Stephen Ueda, president and CEO of Suisan Foodservice, said the van was moved from the market to Lihiwai Street early Friday in order to make way for morning operations. Ueda said the keys were left in the van’s ignition, allowing an unknown thief or thieves to steal the vehicle.
At approximately 4:40 a.m., the stolen van was driven to Hilo Loan Shop on Mamo Street. Richard Lau, an employee of Hilo Loan Shop who lives above the store, said he heard the van backing up but didn’t think anything about it.
“Then it just got louder and louder, and there was this crashing noise,” Lau said.
The thieves backed the Suisan van into the storefront of Hilo Loan Shop, knocking out an entire wall.
Lau said the thieves left in the van shortly thereafter, having taken several items from the shop’s cabinets. He added that the thieves left the van a short distance away and transferred to a getaway car, with which they made their escape.
“They didn’t get any of the customers’ stuff,” said Hilo Loan Shop owner Mike Smallwood, adding that only his own personal items were stolen.
Smallwood and Lau worked Friday to clear the destroyed storefront and transfer the shop’s merchandise off-site.
Ueda said the van was recovered in drivable condition, although he added its rear end sustained significant damage.
“We’re going to internally look into our security practices,” Ueda said. “It used to be there wasn’t that much crime in this neighborhood, but times are changing.”
Hawaii County police could not be reached for comment.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.