Thieves allegedly broke into a locked storage shed at Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park early Monday morning and stole Hawaii Fire Department equipment including a Polaris off-road vehicle used to launch the park’s rescue water craft, according to a release from Hawaii County.
The alleged theft reportedly occurred about 5 a.m. A security guard just coming on duty witnessed two males escaping on a Polaris 500 utility vehicle loaded with equipment, according to the fire department.
The equipment taken included a Lifepack automated external defibrillator, a Motorola portable radio, a rescue paddle board, a spinal immobilization board and 200 feet of heavy duty rescue rope. The estimated value of the stolen equipment is $30,000.
The alleged theft takes away much-needed assets that assist the department’s ocean safety officers in performing water rescues.
“Because of this theft, the beach park and Puna District lost the service of the rescue water craft — which is priceless in saving lives at one of the most dangerous shore breaks on the island,” said Hawaii Fire Department Deputy Chief Lance Uchida.
“We ask the public to please assist the police in finding the perpetrators,” Uchida added.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Hawaii Police Department’s nonemergency number at 935-3311.