LIHUE Anonymous tips led to the arrest of a 47-year-old Kekaha man late Friday afternoon in connection with two thefts within an hour of one another at Longs Drugs and Times Supermarket at Kukui Grove Center last month.
LIHUE — Anonymous tips led to the arrest of a 47-year-old Kekaha man late Friday afternoon in connection with two thefts within an hour of one another at Longs Drugs and Times Supermarket at Kukui Grove Center last month.
The suspect, identified as Steven Kyle Ho‘okano, was arrested for suspicion of two counts of theft in the fourth degree.
Surveillance footage showed that on Oct. 25 about 7:30 a.m., the suspect was closely following someone shopping at Times Supermarket before grabbing a wallet from the victim’s bag and walking quickly toward the exit, a county press release said.
About a half hour later, the same male suspect was seen on surveillance footage wearing sunglasses and entering Longs Drugs. A second victim reported that the man was following her closely before grabbing her wallet from her handbag and running out the door.
Police were able to identify the man from the footage due to several anonymous Crime Stoppers Kauai tips that followed Friday’s press release.
“We wish to thank the public for their swift response and help in identifying the suspect,” said Kauai Police Department Chief Todd Raybuck. “We appreciate the efforts of our officers, the community and all involved.”
Ho‘okano was released Friday on $1,000 bail for one count of theft in the fourth degree. He was released pending investigation on the second count. The investigation remains ongoing.
