KAILUA-KONA — A 44-year-old man is being charged in connection with seven different burglary and theft related cases in the Kona area in which thousands of dollars in property was reported taken.
Ian Paleka of Kona was located Monday in the Old Industrial Area of Kailua-Kona by Hawaii Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit and arrested on a warrant for a burglary that occurred last summer, between July 31 and Aug. 1, in which swords, cash and checks were taken from a business on Kuakini Highway.
During the course of the their investigation, detectives determined Paleka was involved in several other open theft cases.
The total reported financial loss is in excess of $28,000.
On Tuesday, Paleka was charged with four counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree burglary, unauthorized control of a vehicle, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information and third-degree theft.
Paleka made his initial appearance Wednesday in Kona District Court, during which Judge Margaret Masunaga maintained his bail at $47,500 and ordered a new bail study.
The 44-year-old is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing this afternoon.
Paleka also is accused of stealing four air-conditioning units during last year’s Ironman Triathlon on Oct. 13. The units, taken from a business near the 75-5000 block of Alii Drive, were never recovered.
Soon after, police say Paleka was involved in another burglary Oct. 17 near the 75-5000 block of Kaiwi Street, during which numerous power tools and hand tools were taken, several of which were recovered.
Paleka’s first alleged theft of the year occurred between Jan. 2 and 11. A silver 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan, with license plate NT796, was removed from a business near the 73-4000 block of Hulikoa Drive. The vehicle is still reported stolen and has not been located.
Between Jan. 11 and 16, a residence located near the 73-4000 block of Hawaii Belt Road was burglarized and power tools, including a Festool circular saw with a 10-inch blade (model No. TS75), Bosch chop saw with a 12-inch blade and a Hitachi nail gun were taken. An alto saxophone and a red Honda CRF50 dirt bike also were reported stolen from the residence.
Between Jan. 14 and 23, a residence located near the 73-1000 block on Akamai Street was burglarized, and a .44 caliber handgun, ammunition, coins and jewelry were stolen.
On Jan. 17, a burglary occurred at a business located near the 75-5000 block on Alii Drive, during which numerous tools, including a drill, grinds, nail guns, saws, clamps, a sander, tool box, and Stabila level, were stolen.
Detective Carrie Akina with the Area II Criminal Investigations Section said the suspect also could be connected to other reported or unreported thefts.
Anyone with information regarding the stolen items is asked to call Akina at 326-4646, ext. 277.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
Email Tiffany DeMasters at tdemasters@westhawaiitoday.com.
