LIHU‘E — Acid was apparently used to try to break into a safe this week at a building in Lihu‘e, county officials said Wednesday. Police were called to a burglary complaint at about 7:51 a.m. Tuesday in Lihu‘e. During the
LIHU‘E — Acid was apparently used to try to break into a safe this week at a building in Lihu‘e, county officials said Wednesday.
Police were called to a burglary complaint at about 7:51 a.m. Tuesday in Lihu‘e. During the course of the investigation, officers found what appeared to be a yellow solution with toxic fumes that had been poured on and around a damaged safe located in the building, a county news release states.
HAZMAT responded to the scene and identified the chemical solution as Muriatic Acid. Muriatic Acid is a highly corrosive acid, generally used in industrial cleaning solutions.
It appears the suspect(s) entered the building sometime between 10 p.m. on Monday and 7:35 a.m. Tuesday, the release states.
Anyone with information about the identity of this suspect(s) is urged to call Police Dispatch at 241-1711 or CrimeStoppers, 241-1887.
“We want to make our community aware of criminals who may be focused on burglarizing homes and businesses to steal or break into safes, and recommend that necessary precautionary security measures be taken,” Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry said in the release.
Crimestoppers is a nonprofit that offers cash rewards of up to $1,000 to anyone furnishing anonymous information that leads to an arrest.
The Kaua‘i Police Department offers business and home owners a checklist of items to assess how secure a home or business is from theft. To download the free checklist, go to www.kauai.gov/police and click on the ‘Community Relations’ tab.
KPD also suggests the following crime prevention tips:
· Make sure door and window locks work properly and are of good quality.
· Make daily cash deposits and keep a minimum amount of cash on-hand.
· Install interior and/or video surveillance systems.
· Install security lighting and motion sensors.
· Hire security guards to help deter illegal activity.
· Be aware of anyone who might be “casing” your business for a future break-in.
· Form alliances with neighbors to keep an eye out for each other such as the Neighborhood Watch Program.
· Report any suspicious activity to the Kaua‘i Police Department at 241-1711 or CrimeStoppers, 241-1887.
