074/20 News Release Gift Card Scam
December 21, 2020

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department want to warn the public about a gift card scam that is occurring.

In this particular case, the complainant received a phone call from a male who stated that they were with the United States Customs and Border Protection. They informed the complainant that their social security number had been compromised and that someone had opened a bank account using the complainant’s name.  The male informed the complainant that they would be receiving a phone call from an officer from the Honolulu Police Department who would verify the male’s identity.  The complainant later received a call from a number that had cloned the Wahiawa Police Station’s number.  The complainant was then instructed to purchase numerous gift cards to protect her and to send the info to them.

Law enforcement agencies including the Honolulu Police Department will never contact the public and request for gift cards to be purchased as payment for services.   

Please contact police if you receive these types of messages.

072/20 News Release - Modeling Scam
November 18, 2020

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department want to warn the public about a modeling scam on social media.

Recently, the HPD has seen an increase in cases involving juvenile females being solicited by “modeling scouts” via Instagram. These juveniles are receiving messages from the scouts who promise a career in modeling. The juveniles are then instructed to send photos of themselves wearing little or no clothing. In some cases, the scouts offered to send a vehicle to juvenile’s residence to arrange an in-person meeting at the mall.

Please do not engage in conversations with strangers online. Parents are also encouraged to talk to their children about the dangers of social media.

If you receive these types of messages on social media, please contact police.

071/20 News Release - Theft Suspect Wanted
November 17, 2020

CrimeStoppers and the Department of the Attorney General Investigations Office  is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect(s) who stole two Jetpower III Ground Power Unit (GPU) Generators from a construction site at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. 

On Wednesday, September 30, 2020, between 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., unknown suspect(s) entered the new Hawaiian Airlines terminal area located at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and took two Jetpower III Ground Power Unit generators from gates A8 and A9 which are valued at $50,000 each.  The generators were still in their crates and were not installed.  These generators are specifically used to power up airplanes while parked at the gates and have very little street value.  

Property Taken:

Two Jetpower III Ground Power Unit (GPU) Generators

Model No: 180KVA JTP3 W/90KVA OUTPUT

Serial No: 45598 / 45599

067/20 News Release - Cruelty to Animals Suspects Wanted
October 13, 2020

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying four individuals who are wanted for Cruelty to Animals in the First Degree.

On Monday, September 21, 2020, at approximately 9:37 p.m., surveillance footage from Sunset Elementary School showed four individuals on the campus holding flashlights and dragging a dead cat.  Video surveillance also showed a female carrying a compound bow and shooting an arrow like object into the cat.

065/20 News Release Robbery Suspect Wanted
October 09, 2020

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two males who are wanted for Robbery in the First Degree.

On Wednesday, October, 7, 2020, at approximately 7:20 p.m., the victim was patrolling the grounds of Dole Plantation when he observed a male tampering with the ATM and went to address him. As the victim was addressing the male at the ATM, another male confronted him and brandished a shotgun. Both males were able to break into the ATM and took an undisclosed amount of money then fled in the victim’s vehicle which was later located nearby.  

064/20 News Release - Scams
October 08, 2020

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department would like to inform the public of various scams that are currently occurring.

TELEPHONE SCAMS INVOLVING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Two government agencies have been continuously identified in telephone scams.

1. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
2. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

The government does not contact persons by phone in order to collect debts and/or threaten arrests.

Federal Government Agencies do not accept gift cards for payment of legitimate debt.

The Honolulu Police Department does not assist the Federal Government with debt collection.

PHONE SPOOFING

There is an app that allows phone spoofing.  It conceals the number of the phone being used and uses another phone number to appear in your caller ID.

It can appear to be a Federal Government Agency or your local police department.  This can also be used to imitate utility companies, Hawaiian Electric Company or Board of Water Supply, in order to collect false debts.

Do not discuss vital information with anyone who calls.  Hang up, check your telephone book for the proper number of the agency identified in the call.  Contact that agency and ask if there is a problem with your account.

Understand that gift cards are not recoverable.  Once the card number is given to a caller, the money can be spent, and is then not subject to a refund.

Although the gift card may be traced to the point of purchase, that does not guarantee the culprit will be identified and prosecuted.

SWEEPSTAKES SCAM

You have to enter to win.  Sweepstakes winners do not have to pay to receive their winnings.  Sweepstakes programs require multiple contacts to determine a winner.  You will not get one phone call advising you that you have won a sweepstakes.  Again, do not give vital information to someone who has called you and do not send money, by any means to receive your winnings. 

063/20 News Release - Auto Thefts
September 29, 2020

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department would like to inform the public about a spike in auto theft cases where vehicles are being stolen with the use of spare keys.

Auto Theft detectives are seeing many cases where thieves are stealing vehicles because the spare keys are being left in the vehicle.  Once thieves break into the vehicle, they are able to find the spare key and are able to drive away with the vehicle.  Thieves are also able to steal the vehicle because keys are being left inside the vehicle when the driver leaves their vehicle momentarily at a store or gas station.

We advise the public to not leave your spare keys in the vehicle.  If you have multiple vehicles parked next to each other, do not leave the spare keys for the other vehicles inside.  Also, please take your keys with you whenever you exit your vehicle.

060/20 News Release - Extortion Scams
September 17, 2020

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department would like to inform the public of an extortion scam that is currently occurring.

There are reports that victims are meeting people online from social media platforms or dating apps. The victims then engage in conversations with the other person and are instructed to engage in inappropriate behavior or to send lewd photos. Once the victim engages in the behavior the other person then threatens to disseminate the lewd photos or videos unless a ransom is paid.

We advise the public to not comply with requests to send lewd videos or photos. 

059/20 News Release - Warrant Suspect Wanted
September 14, 2020

45/20 News Release - Assault in the Second Degree Suspect Wanted
July 21, 2020

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect who is wanted for an Assault in the Second Degree that occurred in the Waikiki area.