Kapolei man arrested in theft of $20,000

A 53-year-old Kapolei man was arrested for allegedly stealing more than $20,000 from another man in Honolulu.

Officers arrested the alleged thief at Pacific Park Plaza, 711 Kapiolani Blvd., at 3:35 p.m. Friday for investigation of first-degree theft.

Police said the man stole money from the victim between April 2010 and July 2011.

State records show the man has been licensed to sell life insurance since 1993.

Police release man videotaped taking bag

Police have released a 28-year-old man who was arrested for allegedly taking a bag belonging to a 76-year-old woman containing $100,000 worth of jewelry.

Police would not say why the man was released without charges at 10 p.m. Friday.

He was identified as the thief in a surveillance video.

According to police, the woman was moving bags from an elevator in Waikiki about 10 a.m. Tuesday when the doors closed with two of her bags still inside. The woman went to another floor to try to catch the elevator, but it had moved on.

Another tenant found one of the bags and returned it to the woman, but the woman’s bag of jewelry was missing.

Police said a video camera shows the man taking the bag from the elevator and leaving. It was later found in a trash bin — minus the jewelry.

The man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree theft when he returned to the property Thursday.

The jewelry has not been recovered.

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Suspected thief caught after $100k worth of jewels stolen

Hiker airlifted to safety from Manoa Valley

Firefighters rescued a hiker in his 50s from Manoa Valley Saturday night.

Fire Capt. Terry Seelig said the man began his hike on Kolowalu Trail around 10:30 a.m. He called 911 about 6:30 p.m. after apparently straying from the marked trail.

He was flown out without injuries.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Hawaii island officers elevated to lieutenant

Hawaii County Police Chief Harry Kubojiri has promoted three officers to the rank of lieutenant. They are:

» John Briski, in charge of community policing. Briski joined the department in 1998 and has worked as a patrol officer in Hamakua and Puna, a community policing officer in Puna and a detective in the Criminal Intelligence Unit and Office of Professional Standards.

» Thomas Shopay, promoted to Special Response Team lieutenant. Shopay joined the department in 1999 and has worked as a patrol officer, vice officer and special response sergeant in Kona.

» William "Gary" Souther, assigned to South Kohala. Souther joined the department in 1993 and has worked as a patrol officer and DARE officer in Kona, a detective, a patrol sergeant in Kau and head of community policing in Kona.

The promotions took place on May 1.