Security guard indicted in thefts at condo
A security guard assigned to a condominium building in Waikiki used the spare keys of the units to burglarize them and steal money from residents’ bank accounts, said Patricia Kickland, deputy city prosecutor.
An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment Tuesday charging Lane J. Phongphila with unauthorized possession of confidential personal information, identity theft, forgery, burglary, theft and use of a computer to commit a crime.
Circuit Judge Richard Perkins set bail at $25,000.
Kickland said Phongphila stole the bank account number of one resident, then went online to withdraw more than $52,000 to pay his bills, including his mortgage.
She said he also stole at least eight checks from other units, forged them and deposited more than $19,000 into his credit union account.
Kickland said Phongphila admitted entering 16 units to steal from them.
Arson called possible in Kapolei brush fire
Firefighters from the Honolulu Fire Department contained a brush fire Tuesday afternoon that burned about 10 acres in an area bounded by Kapolei Commons, Honokai Hale, Kalaeloa Harbor and the townhouses at Ko Olina.
No people, homes or livestock were threatened by the fire, which was in the middle of a vacant 700-acre parcel about a quarter-mile makai of Farrington Highway, said Capt. Terry Seelig, Fire Department spokesman.
The fire might have been intentionally set, and the case was given to police for investigation, Seelig said. A rancher who has about 20 head of cattle on grazing land within the 700 acres reported seeing a suspicious person leaving the area after the fire began, he said.
The cattle were removed safely, Seelig said.
About 25 firefighters battled the blaze, which began at about 2 p.m. and was under control by about 3:30. Seelig said the fire was contained as of 7 p.m., with only a few smoldering areas left on already burned land.
