Puna Patrol Officer Calvin Furtado was recognized as Officer of the Month for December 2021 by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii during a Jan. 25 ceremony at the Pahoa police station.
On Dec. 14 at about 3 p.m., Officer Furtado was patrolling the Orchidland subdivision when he spotted a wanted fugitive as he drove past a residence, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
The fugitive, who had eluded police capture on numerous occasions, was a person of interest in several stolen vehicle investigations and had outstanding bench warrants.
Coordinating with his beat partner, Officer Furtado approached the house and caught the fugitive off-guard while the suspect was digging through a 2006 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. The suspect was arrested for his outstanding bench warrants without incident.
The suspect was charged with unauthorized control of a stolen vehicle, methamphetamine possession, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information, contempt of court and violating terms of release. His bail was set at $46,250.
Every month the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii honors a police officer in East Hawaii as their officer of the month. Officers are nominated by their supervisors from the police districts in Area I, including Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo, and Puna, and a winner is selected.
All officers selected for Officer of the Month are eligible to be selected as the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii Officer of the Year.