Pearl City blaze caused by faulty charger
A malfunctioning battery charger caused an Aug. 10 fire that destroyed a home in Pearl City, said Honolulu fire Capt. Terry Seelig.
The fire caused about $400,000 in damage to the three-bedroom house on Hoolauna Street, Seelig said.
Seelig also said Honolulu fire investigators have been unable to determine the cause of a Tuesday morning fire that caused an estimated $60,000 damage to Waimalu Chop Suey at the Waimalu Shopping Center. The fire started in a storage shed in back of the restaurant on Kauwa Street, Seelig said. The fire spread into the pantry and kitchen area through window louvers.
Tractor missing from Kurtistown home
Hawaii County police are asking the public to be on the lookout for a stolen tractor.
On Wednesday morning, police responding to a report of a burglary at a home on North Road in Kurtistown learned that a tractor and sport utility vehicle had been stolen from the property.
The 2004 Cub Cadet model 8454 tractor is described as yellow and white with a large single black roll bar over the driver’s seat. Its rear tires are larger than the front tires.
The SUV was found later in Kurtistown.
Police ask that anyone with information call Detective Royce Serrao at 961-2383 or email him at rserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us. Tipsters may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
Woman nabbed in cashing of stolen checks
Honolulu police arrested a 44-year-old Waianae woman Friday after she allegedly cashed checks stolen from mailboxes in Waianae and Kapolei.
According to police, the checks belonged to an 84-year-old woman, a 67-year-old man and a 65-year-old man.
The suspect is being held on suspicion on multiple counts of forgery, theft, attempted theft, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information and identity theft.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Wailuku man is arrested in hit-and-run
Maui police arrested a 43-year-old Wailuku man for the hit-and-run death of a 31-year-old Waehu woman on Aug. 16.
The man turned himself in at the Wailuku Police Station on Friday morning and was arrested for investigation of first-degree negligent homicide and accident involving serious bodily injury or death. He was released pending further investigation.
The body of Brandy Ann Mendes was discovered by a passer-by Aug. 17 along Kahekili Highway, just south of Kamaile Street. A police investigation determined that Mendes was walking home toward Waihee on the unlit roadway the night before when she was struck by a dark red 2000 Chevrolet pickup truck. The driver of the truck fled the scene without rendering aid or calling for help.
Tips to police led to the recovery of the truck and the identification of the suspect as the driver.
Trial over nude photos delayed until October
A jury trial for a 61-year-old Maui High School teacher, who is charged with taking nude photos of a 4-year-old girl in Washington state, has been rescheduled for Oct. 15.
Thomas T. Takeuchi was arrested May 22 at the Portland Airport in Oregon and taken to Whitman County, Wash., where he was charged with sexual exploitation of a minor. He entered a plea of not guilty June 7.
Takeuchi was released on his own recognizance until his trial in Whitman County Superior Court. His trial had previously been scheduled to start this month.
