Police are searching for clues to a burglary at Kamaaina Motors late Sunday night. ADVERTISING Police are searching for clues to a burglary at Kamaaina Motors late Sunday night. Two unidentified people broke into the auto service center on East
Police are searching for clues to a burglary at Kamaaina Motors late Sunday night.
Two unidentified people broke into the auto service center on East Kawili Street in Hilo between 11:30 p.m. Sunday and 12:30 a.m. Monday, according to police.
The pair stole tools with an estimated value of more than $5,000, said Sgt. Paul Kim.
“They took a number of impact drills and impact wrenches,” he said.
Kim said he couldn’t provide additional details about the burglary, including how police know they are looking for two suspects, because the case is ongoing.
Kamaaina General Manager Ivan Nakano said Wednesday the burglars appeared to know exactly what they were looking for.
“They’re professional,” he said. “Evidently, they knew what they were looking for, and they avoided our lights, surveillance cameras and security guard.”
A review of security cam footage showed the pair broke in shortly after the security guard left the area, and they went directly for the tools.
He added that the burglary targeted not only the company but its employees directly.
“We had probably $6,000 of the technicians’ personal equipment and tools taken. That’s where it really hurts,” he said. “I don’t wish it on anybody. We have half a dozen technicians, and most of them got something stolen. It hits dearly. Imagine, you come in Monday ready to work, and you don’t have your tools available.”
Luckily, Nakano said, Kamaaina was able to secure more tools to keep repairs to customer vehicles on schedule.
“We did a complete walk-around, we’re still attempting to take full inventory. But we can assure our customers that none of their vehicles were broken into or damaged, that we know at this point,” he said.
Police asked anyone with information about the case to call officer Gabriel Wilson at 961-2213 or the police department’s 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 Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
