Police seek info on recovered items

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Have you noticed a missing arc welder, car batteries or even solar panels lately?

Have you noticed a missing arc welder, car batteries or even solar panels lately?

Then you may want to check with Big Island police.

Police Capt. Andrew Burian said those items, along with a couple car stereos and a fishing reel, were seized recently in the Ka‘u District while police investigated a string of burglaries.

Burian said police are looking for information on where the items came from in order to connect them to a crime.

It’s unclear if the solar panels, five in all, were removed from a building or were simply in storage when stolen, he said.

The district was hit by a string of burglaries over the last few months, primarily in the communities of Na‘alehu, Discovery Harbour and the Green Sand subdivision.

Burian said there were nine reported in December, 12 in January, and eight in February.

On average, he said, four to eight will be reported a month.

Police have arrested at least five people in connection with the break-ins, Burian said, adding that he believes they are on the decline.

“We feel pretty confident with the direction it’s heading,” he said.

Most targeted homes, though food was taken from the Ocean View Community Center, Burian said.

The Ka‘ District police station can be contacted at 939-2520.