LIHU‘E — In the early-morning hours of Sept. 9, Kaua‘i Police Department officer Scott Williamson came across a vehicle in the Wailua Golf Course parking lot. A man he recognized was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle, and
LIHU‘E — In the early-morning hours of Sept. 9, Kaua‘i Police Department officer Scott Williamson came across a vehicle in the Wailua Golf Course parking lot.
A man he recognized was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle, and another came out of the darkness whom Williamson also recognized, said Lt. Sherwin Kaleo Perez of the KPD Patrol Services Bureau.
After frisking both men and feeling what felt like drug paraphernalia on them, Williamson secured a search warrant and later found crystal methamphetamine and paraphernalia. A drug investigation has been initiated, Perez said.
Partner Shawn Hanna arrived on the scene soon after Williamson, Perez said.
In the process of doing his job, Williamson also likely prevented a burglary from taking place, KPD Chief Darryl Perry said at the monthly meeting of the county Police Commission Friday at the Historic County Building.
The incident resulted in the arrest of Owen Kekoa Takaichi Ignacio, 24, of Kapa‘a, on a single charge of simple trespassing, and the arrest of Alan Wayne Jeffries, 27, of Kapa‘a, for fourth-degree theft (he was carrying two golf balls when he approached Williamson, Perez said) and simple trespassing, according to the KPD daily arrest report.
Perez laid out the situation during the presentation of Williamson as the KPD Officer of the Month for September.
Perez commended him “for fine police work, productive police work,” for making diligent checks of suspicious vehicles and being “very consistent in duties as a patrol officer.”
Williamson has made 26 drunk-driving arrests this year, issued 423 traffic citations, and conducted numerous other arrests and service of legal paperwork, said Perez.
Finishing up his shift shortly before the 9 a.m. start of the Police Commission meeting, Williamson recorded another arrest of someone operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant. He also responded to a call of misuse of the 911 emergency system at 2:30 a.m., Friday, Perez said.
The woman at the residence he responded to was intoxicated. Williamson brought her to Wilcox Memorial Hospital and there she assaulted him, Perez said.
Perez said Williamson was eager to get the ceremony over with so he could get to writing the many reports he has to write.
Perry credited Williamson for “outstanding and exemplary service,” adding that his diligent beat patrol observations and intervention may have prevented a burglary, and that his action “speaks volumes about your character.”
• Paul C. Curtis, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@kauaipubco.com
