MEDIA RELEASE

Dustin Chaves

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

Chaves was honored for his efforts in combating a seven-day crime spike in the Kailua-Kona area in late July and early August.

The crime spree included the break-in of a pickup truck and the removal of a wallet and other items from within. Later that day, the victim’s stolen credit card was used at a Kailua-Kona business establishment three times.

Officer Chaves’ investigation led to the identity of a suspect and a determination that he was driving a stolen car. The car was later located in some bushes on a vacant lot in the Kona View Estates subdivision.

After executing a search warrant on the car, Chaves recovered additional evidence linking it to the suspect. The suspect was located, arrested and charged with numerous offenses, including burglary, criminal property damage, two counts of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, five counts of theft and three counts of fraudulent use of credit cards.

Acting Sergeant Jeremy Lewis, who nominated Chaves for the award, noted that the honored officer had started working in Kona Patrol in July 2013. “He has proven to be an asset to the Hawaiʻi Police Department and the community that he serves,” Lewis wrote in nomination papers.

As “Officer of the Month,” Chaves 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.