The Kona Crime Prevention Committee saluted Kona Patrol Officer Andrew Springer as Officer of the Month for December during a luncheon ceremony Dec. 7 at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona.
The Kona Crime Prevention Committee saluted Kona Patrol Officer Andrew Springer as Officer of the Month for December during a luncheon ceremony Dec. 7 at Huggo’s restaurant in Kailua-Kona.
Springer was honored for arresting a man who had broken into one vehicle and appeared to be selecting his next target.
On May 24, police received a report that someone had entered a parked vehicle at a store in Kailua-Kona and removed a backpack. After reviewing surveillance video, Springer made checks in the immediate area and then expanded his search.
Springer located the suspect in the parking lot of a nearby business. The man was sitting in a pickup truck and using the victim’s binoculars to focus on a third parking lot, where he apparently was targeting his next victim.
Springer arrested him and recovered the victim’s property. Police also recovered a small amount of crystal meth and a smoking pipe from the suspect’s truck.
The suspect was charged with unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.
As Officer of the Month, Springer is eligible for Officer of the Year.
The Kona Crime Prevention Committee is an organization that encourages community involvement in aiding and supporting police in West Hawaii.