Man accused of breaking into apartments

By JOHN BURNETT

Tribune-Herald staff writer

Police arrested a 19-year-old homeless man early Tuesday morning after residents of a Kawili Street apartment complex in Hilo reported break-ins to three units that allegedly occurred while the occupants of those apartments were at home.

Deejay M. Shrew was arrested at about 5:10 a.m. Tuesday at Hale Kawili, a housing complex adjacent to the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus formerly known as Adult Student Housing, or ASH Housing. Detectives charged Shrew at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday with first-degree burglary and two counts of fourth-degree sex assault, according to Lt. Lucille Melemai of the Hilo Juvenile Aid Section.

“Nothing was taken, as far as we’ve discovered, so far,” Melemai said. “There was some damage to the three different places. And no one was injured, happily.”

Melemai said that officers found evidence of forced entry to two of the apartments, while the third unit Shrew allegedly entered was unlocked.

Melemai said the sex assault allegations are “that he inappropriately touched an adult female and also exposed himself inappropriately to an adult female.”

Asked if Shrew was intoxicated when the incident occurred, Melemai replied: “He was according to the people there.”

Officers also investigated Shrew on suspicion of second-degree unauthorized entry to a dwelling and fourth-degree criminal property damage but those charges weren’t filed, Melemai said.

First-degree burglary is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment. Fourth-degree sex assault is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.

Shrew’s bail was set at $6,000 and he was being held at the Hilo police cellblock pending an initial appearance scheduled for 1 p.m. today in Hilo District Court, Melemai said.

A check of Hawaii court records turned up no adult criminal record for Shrew.

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