Arc of Hilo reports theft

Police are investigating the Thanksgiving night theft of groundskeeping equipment and a utility trailer from a Hilo nonprofit organization that provides work for adults with disabilities.

Charmaine Ka-ipo, employment training manager at the Arc of Hilo, said the theft, which she described as “just sad,” was discovered Friday morning.

“When I got in this morning, I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

According to police, the stolen items include a 2013 Carson 5-foot by 10-foot utility trailer license plate No. 745 HYZ.

In the trailer were three orange-and-silver Stihl weed trimmers, one 15-gallon poison sprayer, five green Ryobi Echo backpack blowers, one red Shindaiwa 18-inch chainsaw, one black-and-red Honda 21-inch lawnmower and one orange Stihl hedger.

Ka-ipo said bolt cutters were used and the theft would’ve taken more than one individual.

“It’s done very efficiently,” said Ka-ipo, who added Arc has video surveillance.

“This is malicious and this was so slick. … This is an organized crime gang.”

Police are investigating the incident as a second-degree theft and estimate the value of the stolen items at $4,866.

“This is somebody who knew what they were doing. They took the most valuable stuff. They knew what they were taking. They didn’t take the junk,” Ka-ipo said and added the Arc had been burglarized once before, about 20 years ago.

“Nobody’s hit us in all these years. I was born and raised here and I’ve never seen the crime wave, the thefts we have these days,” she said. “Nobody’s safe in our community anymore.”

Ka-ipo said media reports and word-of-mouth about the previous crime mobilized the community to help the Arc.

“Businesses responded with such generosity we recovered most of our losses,” she said.

She said five young men who need the equipment “so that they can become independent and earn a good honest living” have been idled by the theft.

“They’re not laid off; they’re just temporarily suspended from work because we can’t work without our stuff,” she said.

“We’re going to try to find them things to do around the property. But this is what they do. We hire them; we train them. Everyone has disabilities. They go out and do county, state, private jobs as well. And whatever we earn through that goes to pay them and to pay the staff that’s with them at all times.”

Police Maj. Sam Thomas described the theft from the nonprofit as “disgusting.”

Ka-ipo said Arc is “offering a modest reward if anyone comes forward” with credible evidence.

“We’re trying to get the word out. Hopefully some merchants and others will come forward like they did back in 1994 and 1995 and say, ‘You know what, I’m donating $500. I’m donating $250. I’m giving you three Shindaiwa weed-eaters.’ Whatever is missing, we cannot afford to replace.

“We’re a nonprofit who’s so poor we can’t afford to pay attention and we’re getting robbed in our own community, where we serve. That’s what I’m so furious about.

“And those guys who did it, if they think they’re not going to get caught, they’re going to get caught. This is too big. Wherever they’re trying to unload it, people are going to ask questions.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Robert Pule at 961-2213 or the police nonemergency line at 935-3311.

Those who prefer anonymity can call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and might be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune -herald.com.