Armed robbers invade Fern Forest home

Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Feb. 1, 2007:

Big Island police are investigating a reported home invasion robbery in the Fern Forest subdivision in Glenwood. Patrol officers were dispatched to the Puna home at 6 p.m. last Friday (Jan. 26, 2007) in response to a report that four or five masked and armed men had entered the home and bound its two occupants. Neither victim sustained any physical injuries.

The 56-year-old man and 53-year-old woman said their assailants entered the house through an unlocked door. After incapacitating the homeowners, the men searched throughout the house and removed several items. The robbers left the home in a white sports-utility vehicle, also taking the victims' black 2000 Toyota four-door sedan. The Toyota was later found destroyed by fire.

Police ask that anyone with information about this case or the identity of the gunmen call Detective Darren Horio at 961-2385 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential. # # #

Big Isle police suspect murder in Waa Waa, Puna

Star-Bulletin, Mon. Feb. 26, 2007:

Big Island detectives are investigating a possible murder in lower Puna yesterday morning. The Hawaii Police Department found the body of a man off Highway 137 in Waa Waa following a 4 a.m. call about a gunshot in the Nanawale Estates subdivision.

Police do not have a suspect in custody. The victim's name is being withheld pending positive identification.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section are investigating the case as a murder. Police say anyone with information about the case may call 961-2379 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.

>>--> Wed. Feb. 28 Star-Bulletin, Follow-Up to above story

Posted: Monday, February 26th, 2007 5:23 AM HST, 67 AM KPUA News

Police investigating Puna murder

The Hawaii Police Department is investigating a Sunday morning (February 25) shooting in lower Puna. Puna patrol officers responded to a call at approximately 4 a.m. reporting a gunshot in the area of the Nanawale Estates subdivision. Police later found the male victim off Highway 137 in the Waa Waa area. Police do not have a suspect in custody. They are withholding the name of the victim pending a positive identification. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death. Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section are investigating the case as a murder. Police ask that anyone with information about this case call Detective Richard Sherlock at 961-2379 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311। Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential. Police stand behind evidence tape marking off the scene of Thursday afternoon's fatal shooting at the Kings' Shops on Waikoloa Beach Drive. - Giselle Thompson/Stephens Media Dead man, suspected shooter were co-workers Saturday, March 10, 2007 9:54 AM HST by Lisa Huynh Stephens Media The victim in Thursday's fatal shooting in Waikoloa has been identified by police as Tito Rafol, 38, of Waikoloa. Police responded to a reported shooting near a parking lot on Waikoloa Beach Drive shortly after 4 p.m. and found Rafol dead of multiple gunshot wounds. Police arrested Lito Mateo, 53, of Waikoloa near the scene and charged him with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. He is being held at the Kealakehe police cellblock on $500,000 bail. Many people were in the area where the shooting occurred, including some who witnessed the incident, according to police. In addition, police recovered a handgun believed to have been used in the shooting. Celebrate the milestones of your life! Volcano Update Check here for the latest information! Elected Officials Contact your representatives Top Blogs The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 14 days. Irritated By Whiners (154) Teenager charged with murder (100) Plea bargain reached over death threats (87) pot vs. pills (57) Sentences given for 'ice' bust (54) Man accused of sexual abuse -- again (46) A new council rift (42) Stryker debate heated (39) Wal-Mart: It's a Supercenter (38) Jury selection begins (35) Rafol and Mateo were co-workers at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa, according to police. Resort officials declined to verify this information, although some of those at the scene of the shooting are believed to have worked with the victim and suspect. Police are still investigating the motive for the shooting. In 2004, a 61-year-old restaurant owner was fatally stabbed behind the Kings' Shops during an altercation with an employee. A jury convicted the employee, Yasushi Kato, of manslaughter in October 2005, for the death of Yukichi Ito, owner of Hama Yu Japanese Restaurant. In the past four months, there have been three shootings in West Hawaii. In early January, three shots were fired at Thomas Anderson, 66, and his son Jeff Anderson, 40, at their Paniolo Country Estates residence. Mark Alan Coburn, 48, was arrested and charged in the incident. On Christmas Eve, 65-year-old James McKenzie was charged with attempted murder after shooting a rifle at his 33-year-old son in South Kona. Several days earlier, police charged Steven Galyinug, 23, in connection with a shooting that wounded a 32-year-old Kailua-Kona man. The two were believed to have been involved in an altercation.