MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are investigating a burglary that occurred Wednesday morning (May 9) in the upper Hilo area.

At about 4:05 a.m., police received a report of an alarm at the Kaiser Permanente building at 1292 Waiānuenue Avenue in Hilo. Around the same time, police received another call reporting that the front entry gates to the building were damaged.

Responding officers discovered that the pair of large doors leading into the building’s lobby were extensively damaged. Evidence recovered at the scene suggests that a vehicle was used to gain entry into the building.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section and evidence specialists combed through the debris and have recovered automotive parts from a foreign make vehicle. In addition, police also recovered video surveillance footage.

Preliminary damage estimates to the building were set at about $10,000.

Police ask that anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have information on the identity of the responsible vehicle or person call Detective Royce Serrao at 961-8810 or email him at rpserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.