LIHU‘E — Four men have been arrested in connection with multiple burglaries, break-ins and car thefts that have occurred over the course of the past several months. Police believe 18-year-old Kamron Cortez, 30-year-old Frank Daligdig, 19-year-old Aron Nagao and 21-year-old
LIHU‘E — Four men have been arrested in connection with multiple burglaries, break-ins and car thefts that have occurred over the course of the past several months.
Police believe 18-year-old Kamron Cortez, 30-year-old Frank Daligdig, 19-year-old Aron Nagao and 21-year-old Etienne Trillo were part of an ongoing burglary ring that targeted homes from Kapa‘a to Oma‘o.
Cortez, Nagao and Trillo are being held on bail of up to $55,000. Daligdig has since been released.
Police continue to process items recovered during the arrests, including stolen vehicles and personal belongings.
The investigation of these crimes remains ongoing and the outcome will likely result in multiple criminal charges for all four men.
“Patrol officers and detectives are working together with the community to tackle burglaries and break-ins in our neighborhoods,” said Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry. “But many of us still carry the ‘old days’ mentality, when we could leave our homes or cars unlocked and not worry about theft. Unfortunately, those days are behind us.”
Chief Perry reminds residents and visitors that the most effective way to avoid being a victim of property crime is to lock and secure doors and entryways at all times.
In addition to securing your home and vehicles, the Kaua’i Police Department offers the following crime prevention tips:
• Place physical obstructions, such as wood dowels, in sliding windows and door tracks to better secure them.
• Never hide your house key outside.
• If you move into a new house or apartment, or lose a copy of your key, change your locks immediately.
• Install motion detection lighting around dark exterior areas, walkways and doorways.
• Trim shrubs and hedges around your home so burglars don’t have a place to hide.
• If you can afford it, install a security system.
• Be aware of anyone who might be “casing” your home for a future break-in.
• Form alliances with neighbors to keep an eye out for each other such as the Neighborhood Watch Program.
• Report suspicious activity to Police Dispatch at 241-1711 or Crime Stoppers at 241-1887.
The Kaua‘i Police Department offers property owners a checklist to assess if a home or home or business is properly secured. To download a free checklist, go to www.kauai.gov/police and click on the Community Relations tab.
