MEDIA RELEASE

Carrie Akina

The Kona Crime Prevention Committee recognized Officer Carrie Akina as “Officer of the Month” for December in a luncheon ceremony Wednesday (December 3) at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona.

Akina was honored for locating two men wanted in a resort burglary.

At 2 a.m. on June 21, Kona Patrol officers responded to a report of a burglary at a resort in Kailua-Kona. A 33-year-old California man reported that he had returned to the resort and discovered that items, including his rental car key, had been removed from his hotel room. The car was gone from the parking lot.

During a watch briefing that afternoon, Officer Akina learned the names of two suspects and declared her intention to find them. A few hours later, she located and arrested the first suspect. She recovered stolen electronics from his backpack and returned them to the visitor, who was scheduled to fly out the next morning.

Very early the next morning, Akina located and arrested the second suspect, who was in possession of the stolen rental car and numerous pieces of mail belonging to other persons. The car’s license plate had been removed and replaced with a stolen plate.

The first suspect was charged with burglary, second-degree theft, promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.

The second suspect was charged with burglary, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, six counts of theft, two counts of theft/forgery of a credit card, eight counts of unauthorized possession of personal information, fraudulent use of a motor vehicle license plate and driving without a license.

Lieutenant William Souther, who nominated Akina for the award, said, “Officer Akina’s dedication and initiative in pursuing wanted criminals assists in our vision of making the Big Island a safe place to live, visit and conduct business.”

As “Officer of the Month,” Akina 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.