MEDIA RELEASE

The Kona Crime Prevention Committee recognized Officer Joseph Picadura as “Officer of the Month” for August in a luncheon ceremony Wednesday (August 6) at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona.

Officer Joseph Picadura

Picadura was honored for a lengthy investigation of a case involving fraudulent use of a credit card.

In November 2013, Picadura was Kona Patrol officer. He assigned himself to a walk-in complaint at the Kialua-Kona station, where a woman reported that someone had made multiple unauthorized transactions on her credit card. Investigation revealed that an unknown suspect went to 10 business establishments in Kailua-Kona and made 19 transactions between October 26 and October 27 totaling more than $1,000 in expenditures.

Picadura made extensive follow-up investigation lasting into March 2014 to identify the male suspect and gather enough evidence for prosecution of the case. His efforts led to 14 charges, 13 of which were felonies.

While working this case, Officer Picadura also investigated 59 other incidents, 63 miscellaneous public complaints, 10 traffic accidents and made five arrests that led to seven additional charges. In addition, he issued 86 traffic citations.

As “Officer of the Month,” Picadura, who is now assigned to South Hilo Patrol, is eligible to become “Officer of the Year.”

The Kona Crime Prevention Committee is an organization that encourages community involvement in aiding and supporting police in West Hawaiʻi.