In unrelated incidents, Deputy Sheriffs arrested two individuals in Honolulu this week on extradition warrants out of other states.

Deputies on Oʻahu assigned to the Sheriff Division Airport Section arrested 34-year-old Anthony Spring Monday on an extradition warrant out of Polk County, Florida, for failure to appear in court. Springs is wanted for charges including Sexual Battery of a Minor, Electronic Enticement of a Minor and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device. He was arrested after deputy sheriffs stopped him for crossing against a red light at Ohohia Street, in the airport industrial area. A subsequent ID check revealed the warrant.

In an unrelated matter, Oʻahu Sheriffs with the Airport Section arrested Bo Zhao, 50, after he arrived in Honolulu on a flight from Korea Monday. US Customs and Border Protection agents flagged his name in their system for having a full extradition warrant out of South McHenry County, Illinois, for outstanding charges including Grand Larceny Theft and a Probation Violation. 

“Thanks to the deputies’ good law enforcement work, they were able to take two wanted fugitives off the streets of Honolulu,” said PSD Director Tommy Johnson in a department press release.

The cases were turned over to the Department of the Attorney General. Both individuals have extradition hearing scheduled this morning in First Circuit Court.

Update: 2:20 p.m., July 18, 2023

An additional individual has been arrested in connection with an ongoing police investigation into the discovery of a body wrapped in plastic in a remote area of Kula earlier this month.

Maui police have since identified the deceased individual as Jonathan Awai, 36, of Makawao.

On Saturday, police arrested Carl Rackley, 40, of Makawao on second degree murder, in connection with Awai’s death. Police say Rackley’s bail was set at $200,000. He was transported to district court on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.

Last week Thursday, police arrested two Makawao residents. One of them, John Joseph Smith, 58, appeared in Wailuku District Court for an initial appearance on Monday and is set to appear for a preliminary hearing on July 19.  The state’s motion on Monday to maintain bail at $500,000 was grated by the courts.

The other individual, 48-year-old Stacy Marie Smith, was reportedly released from custody and charges were declined by prosecutors according to Hawaii News Now. Officials with the Maui County Prosecutor’s Office tell Maui Now that they have no comment on the progress of charges against the woman, saying “it’s an ongoing investigation.”  

The case stems from a July 5, 2023 incident in which police were called to a remote trail located off of Keanuhea Street in Kula regarding the discovery by hunters of possible human remains. The case was reclassified from an unattended death to a second degree murder investigation.

Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact lead Detective Jhun-Lee Casio of the Criminal Investigation Division at 808-244-6425. 

Individuals wishing to remain anonymous can call Maui Crime Stoppers at 808-242-6966. Maui Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards in the sum up to $1000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of people responsible for felony crimes; the recovery of stolen property or seizure of illegal drugs in felony cases or the capture of felony fugitives.

The previous report is posted HERE.

Another individual arrested in connection with murder investigation
Update: 12 p.m./11 a.m. July 18, 2023

Another individual has been arrested in connection with an ongoing police investigation into the discovery by hunters of a body wrapped in plastic in a remote area of Kula earlier this month.

Maui police have since identified the deceased individual as Jonathan Awai, 36, of Makawao.

On Saturday, police arrested Carl Rackley, 40, of Makawao on second degree murder, in connection with Awai’s death. Police say Rackley’s bail was set at $200,000. He was transported to district court on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.

Last week Thursday, police arrested John Joseph Smith, 58, and Stacy Marie Smith, 48, both of Makawao.

John Smith appeared in Wailuku District Court for an initial appearance on Monday and is set to appear for a preliminary hearing on July 19.  

Officials with the Maui County Prosecutor’s Office tell Maui Now that they have no comment on the progress of charges against Stacy Smith, who was also arrested in connection with the case, saying “it’s an ongoing investigation.” Hawaii News Now is reporting that she was released from custody.

Previous report:

An unattended death investigation in which a body was found wrapped in plastic off Keanuhea Street in Kula on July 5, 2023, has been reclassified as a second degree murder investigation by Maui Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division.

The charges stem from an incident reported at around 4:33 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, in which police were called to a remote trail located off Keanuhea Street in Kula regarding the discovery of possible human remains.

Upon arrival, hunters led Wailuku Patrol officers to what was later discovered to be the body of a 36-year-old man wrapped in plastic. 

Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians from the Criminal Investigation Division arrived on the scene at approximately 4:58 p.m., where an investigation was launched to determine the cause of his death.

The victim has since been identified as Jonathan Awai, 36, of Makawao, according to Maui police.

Police say John Joseph Smith, 58, and Stacy Marie Smith, 48, both of Makawao, were arrested in Kahului on Thursday, July 13, 2023, and later charged with second degree murder, in connection with Awai’s death.

John Joseph Smith’s bail was set at $500,000, and Stacy Smith’s bail was set at $100,000. Both remain in police custody as of Sunday evening.

Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact lead Detective Jhun-Lee Casio of the Criminal Investigation Division at 808-244-6425.

Individuals wishing to remain anonymous can call Maui Crime Stoppers at 808-242-6966. Maui Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards in the sum up to $1000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of people responsible for felony crimes; the recovery of stolen property or seizure of illegal drugs in felony cases or the capture of felony fugitives.

“The Maui Police Department appreciates the public’s patience in allowing the information to be provided to the public in a way that has not jeopardized the integrity of this ongoing investigation,” police said in a news release Sunday night.

The Maui Police Department extended condolences to Awai’s family and friends. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.

A Maui man was arrested after allegedly stealing a vehicle from an elderly visitor in Makawao and driving the vehicle in the wrong direction on the Hāna Highway before crashing.

The man, later identified as Justin Feliciano, 31, remains in police custody with bail set at $145,000.

Feliciano was charged with: second degree robbery; first degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle; first degree theft; second degree assault; first degree negligent injury; collisions involving death/serious bodily injury; reckless driving; resisting arrest; and first degree terroristic threatening.

The charges stem from an incident reported at around 2:07 p.m. on July 13, in which Feliciano allegedly forcefully took keys to a silver 2017 Toyota Camry from an 88-year-old California woman in the 3600 block area of Baldwin Avenue in Makawao.  Police say Feliciano, who is known to frequent the Kahului area, fled northbound on Baldwin Avenue in the Camry.  

Several minutes later at approximately 2:15 p.m., Central Dispatch received a reckless driving complaint of a vehicle matching the stolen Camry, driving at a high rate of speed on Haleakalā Highway near Firebreak Road.

Dispatch then received multiple reports of a motor vehicle accident at 260 Hāna Highway in Kahului at approximately 2:19 p.m.

Police say they received reports that Feliciano was driving west in the eastbound lanes of Hāna Highway before colliding with a silver 2004 Toyota Corolla.  Police received reports that the Camry became inoperable as a result of the collision, and Feliciano fled the scene on foot before police arrival.

At approximately 2:21 p.m., a Wailuku patrol officer arrived on scene. Shortly after, police say Feliciano returned to the scene and “approached the officer in an aggressive manner, making threats to have a firearm and making statements that he was going to shoot the officer.”  

Fearing for public safety, the officer drew his firearm and ordered Feliciano to comply with his directions which Feliciano refused, according to department reports.  Feliciano then started to advance toward the officer, making several attempts to grab the officer’s firearm, according to police.  It was during this time that the officer was able to observe that Feliciano did not have a weapon and holstered his firearm.  

Police say that with the assistance of bystanders and other responding officers, Feliciano was taken into custody after a brief struggle.

The 88-year-old California woman was treated and released on the scene by medic personnel.

The operator of the silver 2004 Toyota Corolla, an 81-year-old Kula woman, was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center Emergency Room for further treatment of injuries sustained from the collision.

The investigation is ongoing.

Update: 1:37 p.m., July 6, 2023

Police have since confirmed that hunters discovered human remains wrapped in plastic, according to Maui Police Department spokesperson Alana Pico. The investigation remains ongoing. 

Previous post: July 5, 2023

Maui police have launched an unattended death investigation following the discovery of possible human remains in Kula.

Wailuku Patrol Officers responded to a property off Keanuhea Street in Kula regarding the discovery at around 4:33 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians from the Criminal Investigation Division arrived on the scene at approximately 4:58 p.m.

Police issued a press release shortly before 9 p.m. saying the investigation remains active.

*Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

The Maui Police Department received recent reports of individuals approaching people in the parking lots of various businesses throughout Central Maui, asking if they would like to buy jewelry. Police say “the individuals state that they are in desperate need of cash as they have been robbed and have no identification or funds to buy airline tickets to return home.”

Police warn the public not to purchase jewelry from anyone who approaches them on the street. “A reputable vendor will have a brick-and-mortar store, pop-up shop, or verified E-commerce website,” police advise.

Department officials ask the public to report suspicious or unusual activity by calling 808-244-6400 or 911 in an emergency.

Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating a burglary that occurred at the Merrie Monarch Festival office on Pi‘ilani Street in Hilo sometime between 10 a.m. Sunday, June 18, and 7 a.m. Monday, June 19, 2023.

Hilo patrol officers responded to a reported burglary. Police say unknown suspect(s) entered the establishment and removed numerous items valued at more than $2,700. One of the items removed was a distinct frame/board that contained 12 Merrie Monarch Royal Court Medals (pictured above).

Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section Crime Reduction Unit is continuing the investigation. Police ask that anyone with information regarding this incident call the police department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.
 
Those with information regarding this crime can also contact Detective John Balberde at john.balberde@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
 

Maui Humane Society is asking anyone with information regarding who shot a puppy in Kula with a pellet gun to report it. Information can be shared directly to the organization or callers can remain anonymous by reaching out to Maui Crime Stoppers.

According to the notice, the puppy was injured from a pellet shot in the spine.

The incident was reported earlier this week on Hawaii News Now. A humane enforcement officer told the news outlet a crime of this nature could result in jail time and fines for the offender.

A spokesperson with the Maui Humane Society called the incident a horrific act of animal cruelty. According to the organization, the puppy had surgery on O’ahu and the animal was not in the care of the Maui Humane Society.

The organization encourages anyone who knows anything about the situation to contact Maui Humane Society’s humane enforcement officers 808-877-3680 ext 222.

“A member of the public has contacted us and offered a $2,000 reward to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person or persons responsible for shooting Sammy,” said Katie Shannon, Director of Marketing at the Maui Humane Society.

Maui Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards in the sum up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of people responsible for felony crimes; the recovery of stolen property or seizure of illegal drugs in felony cases or the capture of felony fugitives. The Maui Crime Stoppers phone number is 808-242-6966.

In recent weeks, several people have had callers, claiming to be deputy sheriffs, tell them that they have outstanding warrants because they failed to appear in court. One scammer reportedly told a woman that she failed to appear at a hearing she was summoned to for her expert testimony. She was instructed to post a “surety bond” to freeze charges against her. She immediately hung up the phone and reported it.

“These scammers are getting very creative in their attempts to steal money. They’re using real deputies’ names and they are spoofing real Sheriff Division phone numbers,” said State Sheriff Mark Hanohano. “We want to remind everyone that Hawaiʻi sheriffs will not call you about missed court appearances or solicit any form of payment electronically, or by phone. The best thing to do is hang up and report it.”

Hawaiʻi residents are also advised not to provide credit card numbers, bank account information or other personal information to callers claiming to represent a law enforcement agency.

If you receive a call, text or email matching this scam please alert the Sheriff Division by calling 586-1352.

TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF: 

• Do not communicate with unsolicited email or phone text senders. 
• Do not open emails, attachments or links sent by text from unknown individuals. 
• Never provide personal information of any sort via phone, text or email. Be aware that many emails requesting your personal information appear to be legitimate.

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  Maui antique shop search warrant (May 23, 2023). PC: DLNR Hawaiʻi.
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  Maui antique shop search warrant (May 23, 2023). PC: DLNR Hawaiʻi.
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  Maui antique shop search warrant (May 23, 2023). PC: DLNR Hawaiʻi.
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  Maui antique shop search warrant (May 23, 2023). PC: DLNR Hawaiʻi.
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  Maui antique shop search warrant (May 23, 2023). PC: DLNR Hawaiʻi.
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  Maui antique shop search warrant (May 23, 2023). PC: DLNR Hawaiʻi.
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  Maui antique shop search warrant (May 23, 2023). PC: DLNR Hawaiʻi.
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  Maui antique shop search warrant (May 23, 2023). PC: DLNR Hawaiʻi.
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  Maui antique shop search warrant (May 23, 2023). PC: DLNR Hawaiʻi.
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  Maui antique shop search warrant (May 23, 2023). PC: DLNR Hawaiʻi.

Dozens of items were confiscated during a raid of the Antique Freak shop in Wailuku, Tuesday. 

Federal and state officers with the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement and DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement executed a search warrant and arrested Shane Rosberg, 42, of Kula on suspicion of multiple misdemeanor offenses involving wildlife.

He is accused of 26 counts of prohibited wildlife trafficking (HRS 183D-66) and 26 counts of possession of endangered and protected wildlife (HAR 13-124-11 {1}).

Bail for each of the misdemeanor charges was set at $250, for a total of $13,000. 

Authorities say evidence collected during the search included various species of threatened and endangered wildlife, including whale tooth ivory, elephant ivory, walrus ivory, and turtle shells. 

Under state law, no person shall sell, offer to sell, purchase, trade, possess with intent to sell, or barter for any part or product from the following animal family, genus, or species: sea turtle, elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, great ape, hippopotamus, lion, pangolin, cheetah, jaguar, leopard, monk seal, walrus, or narwhal. 

Rosberg’s first appearance in Wailuku District Court is scheduled for June 15 at 10:30 a.m. For a first conviction there would be a mandatory fine of not less than $200, or imprisonment of not more than one year, according to state officials. If the state elects to charge him under Hawai‘i Administrative Rules, he could be fined up to $10,000, according to DLNR. 

DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said the raid was a joint effort between the Maui and Hawai‘i Island DOCARE branches and NOAA/OLE. The Maui Police Department processed the suspect.

“Law enforcement takes these violations seriously and we hope this case serves as a warning to anyone who may be peddling or possessing items with the intent to sell, made from endangered or protected species,” said Redulla in a department news release. 

Maps indicate Antique Freak is located at 139 North Market St.

*The above information was provided by authorities and individuals are considered innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.