MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are advising residents in the Waiākea Houselots area of Hilo that their neighborhood has experienced an increase in burglaries since May. Burglars have entered homes through windows to steal jewelry and other items.

Police advise residents in the area to reduce their risk by locking all doors and windows when they leave home.

Police plan to send prerecorded phone notifications to area residents using the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency’s automated telephone notification system to warn them about the burglaries.

Police ask anyone with information about these burglaries to call Detective James Correa at 961-2289.

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.

Residents who wish to schedule an appointment for a free home security inspection may call the Police Department’s Community Policing office at 961-8121.