MEDIA RELEASE
The Kona Crime Prevention Committee recognized Kona Patrol Officer Justin Gaspar as “Officer of the Month†for October in a luncheon ceremony Wednesday (October 5) at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona.
Gaspar was honored for his efforts that resulted in the recovery of a stolen car and a stolen handgun.
On May 10, Gaspar observed a silver Nissan Altima traveling on Kuakini Highway with two license plates that didn’t match. He identified the driver and initiated a traffic stop. The car stopped momentarily and then drove away, heading west on Lako Street.
With help from a concerned citizen, Gaspar located and recovered the Nissan in the Kamani Tree subdivision, but the driver had already fled the scene. It was determined that the car was stolen but had not yet been reported stolen. Gaspar learned that the two mismatched license plates affixed to it were from other vehicles that had been reported stolen.
At one of the stolen vehicle scenes, a handgun also had been taken. Gaspar immediately shared that information with his fellow officers, which led to the suspect turning himself in to the police. Gaspar and a detective were then able to recover the stolen handgun.
Gaspar was previously named “Officer of the Month†in August 2012, July 2013 and May 2016. As “Officer of the Month†again, he is eligible for “Officer of the Year.â€
The Kona Crime Prevention Committee is an organization that encourages community involvement in aiding and supporting police in West Hawaiʻi.
