In another twist in the case of a missing Kaua‘i resident who was last seen four months ago, Honolulu police are investigating a similar incident that occurred more than a decade ago that could involve one of the same suspects.
In another twist in the case of a missing Kaua‘i resident who was last seen four months ago, Honolulu police are investigating a similar incident that occurred more than a decade ago that could involve one of the same suspects.
Hank Jacinto, also known as Henry Calucag, is accused of stealing the identity and property of John Elwin, a Kaua‘i resident who has been missing since May. Elwin was last seen on a mid-summer business trip to the Philippines.
Jacinto is accused of forging the title of a car into the title of Kaua‘i land owned by Elwin, for which he faces first-degree theft and second-degree forgery charges, according to court documents. Jacinto, who is registered on several Web sites, also is named as the president of a group that solicits financial support for Filipino orphans, www.webionic.com.
Jacinto was released on $50,000 bond on Sept. 8, but appeared in Honolulu District court yesterday to request that his bond be lowered and to have his passport returned. Instead, he was ordered to be held without bond.
A Honolulu home raided Monday belonging to Debbie Anagaran, Jacinto’s girlfriend, also used to belong to a man who was reported missing. The home — formerly owned by Arthur Young, last seen in the Philippines more than a decade ago — was raided by SWAT team members around 1 p.m. Police executed a search warrant but no arrests were made, said Michelle Yu, Honolulu police department spokeswoman.
Young signed his home over to Anagaran’s name after he was reported missing in the Philippines, a friend of Young, Gordon Piianaia said. Yu could not confirm whether the Young case would be reopened. Anagaran has not been arrested or charged with any crimes related to the raid.
“He went to the Philippines on a business trip and never came back,” Piianaia said. “He had signed over the property as collateral.”
Piianaia put the two cases together in his mind earlier this week, he said, after a FedEx delivery man with a parcel asked if Piianaia knew of a Hank Jacinto on Peter Street. The man gave Piianaia the address where Anagaran lives.
“Nothing registered at that time, except that I knew where the address was, so I pointed out the house,” Piianaia said.
Later, Piianaia read about Jacinto’s alleged identity theft of Elwin, and made the connection.
“After reading the story that says they guy went to the Philippines and disappeared and that the property was transferred over to Jacinto, it was the exact same situation with my neighbor,” he said. Jacinto often wore sunglasses and a hat when coming or going from Anagaran’s home, Piianaia said. Piianaia has lived in the neighborhood for more than 20 years.
“Hank was always covered up,” Piianaia said. “And she would be gone for long periods of time.”
Luis Soltren, a 30-year friend of Elwin, attributed recent events in the case to the onslaught of help from members of the Filipino community and Mayor Bryan Baptiste, from whom he entreated help last week.
“It has been tremendous. We were overwhelmed by all the help,” Soltren said.
An upcoming meeting with the Philippines consul and members of the Honolulu District Attorney were all put in place because of the Honolulu and Kaua‘i police departments and Baptiste himself, he said.
“Under Clayton Arinaga, together with Honolulu Police Department, they’ve done some terrific work. We’re very grateful.”
• Amanda C. Gregg, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or agregg@kauaipubco.com.
