INCIDENT
Monday, October 13
Mauna Loa Estates
11th Street
"House on 11th St MLE was vandalized & burglarized on Mon Oct 13. Perpetrators appeared to have used a glass-cutting tool & screwdriver to enter thru a window that was both locked & had a stick in it to prevent opening. Not sure but may have been juveniles because 10/13 was a no-school day. Police were notified 10/13."
INCIDENTS
One:
Friday, Oct 10
Ohia Estates
Nahelenani near Liona
"Police were here yesterday. More burglaries in Ohia/Mauna Loa Estates. Yellow house on corner of Liona and Nahelenani and newer green house both robbed recently. People saw two adolescents one young teen Hawaiian on bike, other gangly dirty blonde haole teen or early 20's older thin tall. Carrying pillow cases full of stuff. Green house was missing same pillow cases."
"Both suspects seen entering driveway across the street from Uliuli off Nahelenani and path behind. There has also been some kind of drug bust on Nahelenani. A suspicious white truck new model plates, HKE *** possibly carrying both under age suspects was observed in same area."
*** Number identified for police.
Two:
Date undetermined
Ohia Estates
Nahelenani
According to a Real Estate Agent showing a property to prospective clients, "the back door had been pried open/damaged and a large white telescope taken."
INCIDENT
Saturday, October 4
Puolani Road near Anuhea Street
RHE Subd.
Received report from property owner who confronted two men removing hapu'u from his neighbor's property. The perpetrators were identified and police were notified.
Addendum: There appears to have been a misunderstanding in this situation.
No criminal complaint was initiated.
Labor Weekend Alert
Friday, August 29:
Received a report of suspicious activity from one of our B&B operators. She claims that a customer called and wanted to stay Friday night but refused to provide credit info. Instead, they would pay cash upon arrival. They were supposedly on their way from Hilo but when they hadn't arrived in a timely fashion, she dialed *69 (call back last incoming caller) and the customer said they were almost there. When they never showed up, the proprietor canceled plans to leave the premises, suspicious that her property was being cased.
Friday, August 29 at 12:20 pm:
Volcano Garden Arts
A couple in a gold/beige Toyota Corolla (unsure of year) sedan (4 door) walked in briskly and looked around the gallery and front of gallery.
Woman had a trim build and was approx 5' 5" and was in her 30's with tank top and shorter shorts. Dark glasses and hat. Long dark hair. Possibly Puerto Rican with a speech impediment - possibly hearing impaired.
Man was taller than female, muscular build, possibly in upper 30's-early 40's, African American, white t-shirt and shorts, dark glasses he carried a large camera with either white lens cap or flash (was white in color/cover).
They just said they were looking around and the male took photos of the female in our parking area. They spent less than 5 minutes total on the grounds and it was odd. Possible that they were here before, woman seemed familiar with the gallery, but hard to tell as they were rushing around...
Note: The person who notified NHW about this incident now does not want to identify themselves, so I have no recourse other than to abandon the announcement.
Further note: Received a message from a community member acquainted with the hearing-impaired woman who said she shouldn't be considered a suspicious character.
1:00 PM
HOIE subd
Observed a compact white pickup with lawnmover in back pulling out of a neighbor's driveway on Huakai Street. Polynesian man with average build, possibly tall, with neatly trimmed facial hair and dark glasses. Smiled as I drove by but didn't really look at me. I parked around the corner and walked back to Huakai to have a look but he had disappeared. I patroled Huakai and didn't see him so he presumably pulled into another neighbor's driveway. I waited at the foot of suspected driveway for five minutes before leaving. Would have driven in but am not on first-name basis with that neighbor and didn't want to intrude. House cannot be seen from street.
Note: I followed up on this and there was no harm or foul involved.
INCIDENT
MLE
Near Jade & Ninth
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Volcano Neighborhood Watch has received information regarding vandalism at a particular new residence occurring for the second time within five weeks. Police were notified. The homeowner claimed that his neighbor's house was also vandalized but that person did not notify the police.
INCIDENT
Volcano Farm Lots
Between 4:30pm July 9th and 9am 10th, a residence near the end of Amaumau Road was burglarized. A 2002 silver Toyota Tacoma (no plates but running), a Suzuki Intruder 750cc street bike (not running), assorted power tools (Bosch, Craftsman) were among the items stolen. They cut the phone wires and turned off the electric at the breaker box. No prints found...They took the keys for several other vehicles like they're planning to return for them....Neighbors saw a faded blue/gray old style Dodge Caravan that made 4-5 trips up and down Wright Road on Wed the 9th. It was driven by an older man.
INCIDENT
Thursday, May 8, 2008
MLE: Near 11th & Pearl
Toward late morning, a man described as having a dark complexion, wearing camo clothing, and in his 20's or 30's, was seen by a resident first, when the man descended his driveway and again peeking into a neighbors windows. The resident shouted and gave chase as the man escaped through the forest and ran down 12th toward Ruby. Police were notified.
Later, the owner of the home where the man was spotted peeking into windows said that not only had the stranger hopped his fence, but probably kicked his dog, too, as the dog was found injured and cowering.
SUDDENLY, 4 INCIDENTS
March 29, 2008
Wright Road
Saturday afternoon
"I live on Wright Road and am writing to report what could be a comletely benign incident, but something that just felt "off". Today, around 1:00pm, a 200? silver Dodge Ram 2500 with HI license plate driven by a 30ish male with a big black dog in back pulled all the way into our driveway and honked lightly a couple of times. When my boyfriend went out to see what he wanted the young man said that he was looking for an address and asked if 'Chris' lived here. Our address is clearly marked at the end of our driveway and visible from the road. Our vehicle isn't currently parked in the driveway and it appeared as if no one was home. We have a chain that we normally pull across the end of the driveway when we leave but it was down at the time, since we were home, allowing easy access to our carport. We had a couple of bicycles and and other items sitting out in the carport.
This person may truly have been looking for someone, but it seemed as if he may have been casing the place or looking for a quick grab. The reason that I am reporting this is so that if another person has a similar experience with someone matching this description, we will know to be on the lookout for this individual. It is probably nothing, but better safe than sorry."
Hapuu Lane
Saturday
Today, between 9~3, some one broke into a home on Hapuu Lane in the Village and took 2 TV's and cable box.
In this case, neighbors described a blue/grey sedan, possibly a Honda, Nissan or VW, with a loud muffler driven by two men described as Portuguese locals. Police concurred with this description.
Wright Road
Saturday Mid Day
"We had an unexpected/unknown visitor today around 12:30pm. He was driving a newer silver Dodge Ram truck - my husband said he thought it was diesel. The guy was a local boy, late 20s/early 30s with longish hair. He was wearing a black shirt. He drove in, honked, and when my husband opened the garage door, the guy asked for "Martin" (we don't know of anybody in the neighborhood by that name). When my husband told him "no" he just backed up, turned around and left. He had two black dogs, one with some white on it, in the back of the truck."
MLE
Saturday (Night?)
Received report of items stolen from a vacation rental while the visitors were out. Stolen items included a notebook computer, some eBooks and a boombox with flame stickers on it.
INCIDENT
Royal Haw'n Estates
Puolani Street
Friday, March 21
A large, flat panel TV (bolted to a wall) and notebook computer were stolen from a vacation rental, presumably overnight.
INCIDENT
Haunani Street
Thursday, March 20
Someone familiar with our house and habits broke into our home this evening and stole an ukulele and some children's jewelry. They also did significant damage to our fence. We think they left quickly through the back door as we were arriving home. We reported the incident to the police.
INCIDENT
Royal Haw'n Estates
reported Sunday, February 10
In October of last year, we reported an incident of cats being poisoned near Alaula and Puolani. I received another complaint this morning regarding another incident, although, the party admits they don't know whether or not the cat was poisoned, only that it turned up dead under their house.
INCIDENT
Mauna Loa Estates
Thursday, Feb 7 at 5:45 AM
"My niece was exercising on a mat on the lanai and was surprised by a bright search light beam flashing around our property. She stood up and saw a white van stopped at our driveway entrance. It had a swivel flood light mounted on the driver's side near the side-view mirror. She could not see who was in the vehicle, but when they saw her standing on the lanai, they said something incoherent, and drove away. There was black lettering on the van, but she could not make out what it said. The vehicle was traveling east on Twelfth Street near Jade Ave., in Mauna Loa Estates."
INCIDENT
February 5
Royal Hawai'ian Estates, Alaula Street
"I have had strange occurrences happen at my home since I bought a year ago. 1) A drunk neighbor coming down my driveway at dusk and asking for me, telling us that he owns this street because he's Hawai'ian by blood. 2) A person standing outside my bedroom window at night peeking in.** 3) Just recently a silver car stopping in front on the street outside my living room window as if trying to look in. This is the second occurrence of this car."
** Note: Another woman on the same street reported such an incident about one year ago.
ALERT
Thursday, November 29
Hawaiian Orchid Isle Estates
Upon receiving several complaints over many weeks, I notified the Humane Society for the second time about the two white Pit Bulls running free on Huakai Street between Alii Kane and Puolani. The owners have proven to be unapproachable about the matter. Residents are voicing fear over traveling along the road as these dogs suddenly spring from their yard and menace walkers, bikers, and vehicles alike, not to mention other domestic pets.
The Humane Society staff noted the information but declinded to say what, if anything, could be done about it.
ALERT
A credit card scam just in time for the holidays. Click on the link below.
http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp
INCIDENT
Sunday, November 4, approx 7 pm
RHE - Hwy 11
"The night of the accident, I was on my way up the hill to my mom's house in Volcano. It was dark and raining pretty hard. I noticed a pick-up truck (possibly with an extended cab and dark in color) coming to a stop at Alii Koa (second road into Royal Hwn Estates) & Hwy 11--with its hazard lights on. The truck made a right-hand turn and started down the hwy heading (literally) toward me. It crossed the lane divider and continued to move head-on toward my vehicle. I swerved to my right (into the shoulder and grass) in an attempt to move out of its path. The drivers side (front end and possibly left front side) of the truck hit the left (drivers side) door of my car, then farther back into the back door. I stepped on the brakes after being hit and ended up facing the opposite direction in the middle of the road (and watched the truck disappear down the hill). When the N. bound traffic cleared, I was able to pull over to the right side of the road and try to figure out what to do next. Someone in a truck called the police when they saw my car in the road, stopped, and waited with me until my husband and police officers/E.M.T.s arrived. The whole situation was (and still is) very traumatic and especially because the driver of the truck never came back to at least determine that I was OK. Also, my car has been pronounced 'totaled' and now I am left without a car (as well as a deductible) and to cope with with anxiety, physical pain, and frustration."
If anyone has any information to contribute, please contact either me or the police.
webmaster@volcano-nhw.com
ALERT
Friday, October 26
Phishing Scam
Jane Doe alerted me to an email supposedly from the IRS, saying she had a refund coming. Jane "checked www.snopes.com, and found this is a phishing thing, and is one of the better ones I've seen, and many that don't know their taxes well enough would fall for it."
ALERT
Monday, October 22
RHE: Near Alaula & Puolani
Received report of cats being poisoned. Encouraged affected parties to notify authorities.
Incident
Saturday, September 15 at 11:00 am
Hawaiian Orchid Isle Estates, Lehuapele Street
"Just a short note to let you know two guys tried to break into my house while I was out. Car wasn't in the driveway, so they thought no one was home. Girlfriend heard someone pull up around 11:00 am. They parked on road, not visible from house. She looked out a window, didn't see my car in the driveway and thought nothing of it until she heard someone under the house. Sometimes I put stuff away under the house before coming in, so she waited a few minutes before opening the door. At the bottom of the stairs were two local guys, late teens, early twenties, rubber slippers, shorts, one no shirt, other open shirt, one short hair, other about 3" hair about ready to come up the stairs. After a few choice words from my girlfriend (and no doubt noticing the rather large dog she was holding back) they ran. She sicced the dog on them, but they made it to the car and split. They made off with a 2-gallon can of gas I had under the house and cut the small lock on the shed out front. (Nothing taken from the shed.) We reported the theft. Two cops showed up, but got no prints. The following Wednesday I was at the County Council VTC in Hilo all day. Around 4pm, my girlfriend's friends dropped by. A red sedan parked out front drove off as they pulled into our driveway. It was raining pretty good, so they didn't notice who was inside the sedan. (They didn't know about the earlier theft.) Needless to say, the house is now marked. I've beefed up security. Plan to install video surveillance cameras soon."
Incident
Due to several complaints about a pair of white pit bulls running loose in the Hawaiian Orchid Isle Subd, particularly along Huakai Street, the Humane Society was notified today, September, 24, 2007.
Incident
Friday, September 7 at 1:00 pm
VGC (on Kolokea Place)
"Two young men knocked at my door looking for Dr. Ethan (fictitious), which is my first name, so I responded yes. They both seemed genuinely surprised. Their story was that they were trying to locate a podiatrist who their grandmother needed to see right away and that this person lived somewhere near the 'Old Volcano House or 'Kilauea.' When I noticed there was no car parked in the drive, I asked them about this, and they said they were dropped off by someone who was visiting around the corner. One said his grandmother, a Mrs. Thompson from Port Townsend, WA, had a house in our subdivision but that she was mostly on the mainland. I didn't get much out of them that made sense. Both men looked to be in their mid to late twenties, average height, similar husky build, no glasses. One was local (black hair, dark eyes, thin moustache and goatee, tattoos), the other said he was from Washington State, brown hair, either hazel or brown eyes, no facial hair."
INCIDENTS
Monday, August 27
HOIE (near Puolani & Huakai):
"I came home from walking my dog this evening to find someone peeking in my children's windows. We saw each other and ran in opposite driections."
This individual also reports tell-tale evidence of "visitors" tresspassing on their property when they've been away and the gate was locked.
Thursday, August 2
HOIE (end of Alii Kane)
Between 12:00 and 1:00 pm occupant witnessed bicycle rider w/ binoculars peering into the home. Description: Shoulder length very dark hair, 5'6 to 5'8, black pants, long sleeve white sweatshirt, possibly teen to 20's. Suspect took off upon discovery.
INCIDENT
July 25 - 7:30 pm
MLE - near 7th & Pearl
"I'm not sure if this is worth mentioning but I had something really strange just happen. A light gray caravan drove up my driveway. I was distracted by the car lights so so I investigated. There were two women. The woman from the passenger side got out of the car and asked if I lost a dog. She first showed me a small, gray mutt and then a black one, asking each time if it was mine. After telling her I've never seen those dogs, she looked around and very slowly backed up and left.
Why would someone go to a random house at 7:30 pm to see if someone has lost a dog or two?"
Webmaster's comment: Any incident, regardless of how minor it seems, is worth mentioning. It sounds similar to other reports of casing.
Follow up - July 21: The anonymous contributor below reports that the police were notified of a red car that was apparently abandoned at the same household. After some time, the car remained in place and the contributor again contacted the police only to learn that the car's owner was notified and had promised to move it. Despite the owner's promise, a subsequent complaint was made and action is pending.
Webmaster's note: While Volcano Neighborhood Watch will continue to publish complaints, residents are urged to consider our limitations. We have no special arrangement with law enforcement, nor are we authorized to act on anyone's behalf. The purpose of this website is to keep others informed of criminal activity occurring in Volcano. Squeaky wheels get grease; when criminal activity increases, alerted citizens become more diligent about protecting themselves and their neighbors.
July 8, 2007 - Volcano Village
"Wanted to take this opportunity to report that the shocking green car license # HFN 509 after revving their engine (which occurs at least weekly) sped up & down Kilinoe St. on July 4, 2007 leaving tire track marks in front of our home. An eerie sound also blasted from that green car through out the neighborhood. It is a concern as children & many pets reside on that street. It was reported to the police.
Another occurrence which was not reported to the police, happened a few months ago, occupants were warned by the Volcano Resident though that experienced this near mishap. Engines were revving up again, & I told my husband to please check it out & go around the back way to the residence of these rebels, as they would be ripping out onto Wright Rd. My husband did not heed the warning about going around the back loop to Kilinoe & preceded to turn into Kilinoe St. from Wright Rd. A black car which appeared to have busted out head lights, from the same residence as the shocking green car ripped out of Kilinoe St, nearly missing my husband, spinning out on Wright Rd.
Within the past few days at the same residence (two story green house, 2nd house on right of Kilinoe St.), my husband saw a red car license # FJT 592 w/a busted out back window being towed there by another car w/a rope, & dropped off on the frontage of Kilinoe St. in front of that same residence. This car appears to be illegal & I'm assuming that would be considered an abandoned car parked on the frontage of Kilinoe St. Can't imagine that the black car w/the busted out head lights is legal either. Our next step is to call Abandoned Cars.
The danger, (the noise, illegal cars) these people cause that reside at this home on Kilinoe St. is frightening. Can't understand why in this nice Volcano Village Neighborhood (we've live here for 11 1/2 years) something cannot be done legally about this situation by the police. At least a few cars at this residence (which is a very small lot under 1/4 of an acre) & the red car (an eyesore) which appears to be illegal parked on the roadside of Kilinoe St., that some action can't be taken to resolve this problem.
Another problem that is disturbing at this residence is all the trash that is piled up in the front yard, not only is it an eyesore, it could become a health issue. An animal of some sort must have gotten into their trash as it was spread all over Kilinoe St. in front of the green house one day recently. Homes in this neighborhood are consider a single family dwelling unit, & the Hawaii Landlord Tenant code states:related by blood or marriage or five unrelated responsible people. Responsibility is not occurring in this green house, I have not seen the owner living in there either (met him one day & don't think he has sold his house, can check that out w/his relatives that reside in Volcano Village), feel the number of people residing there is something that could be investigated also."
Concerned Resident of Volcano Village
Webmaster's Note: This subject arises again and again. Perhaps neighbors in the vicinity should meet to discuss a solution.
2 MORE INCIDENTS
Saturday, June 9
MLE
1) Tourists reported thefts about mid-morning today at a B&B near 12th & Ruby. One guest lost an iPod, two chargers and other small items while another guest reported the theft of gourmet foods. Witnesses reported seeing a "white, 30-ish looking man in the bushes, with a backpack on." At first they thought he might have been a guest and was crouching in the bushes to respect their privacy, then later realized he was not supposed to be there. The police were to be notified.
2) In another break-in, a homeowner near 12th & Pearl reported that thieves were undeterred by his barking dogs. Police were notified although further details are unknown at this time.
A neighbor reported seeing an unfamiliar tall, dark clad
person in the area just before noon today. Still on other days, an unfamiliar tall, slender, pale faced teen, with dark hair and eyes, has been seen walking both along Pearl and cross streets.
TWO INCIDENTS
Tuesday, May 29
MLE near 11th & Pearl:
Police estimate that sometime between 10 am ~ 11 am today, someone kicked in the garage service door to this person's home. To enter via this door, they would have had to pass the resident's large dog which barks whenever strangers approach. The thieves stole a laptop computer, printer, wireless mouse connector, ZIP drive, memory stick and back-up disc, yet left other valuable items untouched leading the police and resident to believe the thieves may have been interrupted.
According to the resident of the home who notified me of this incident, another home in MLE near 9th & Ruby was also broken into in the same manner sometime after the reported incident. I will try to follow up on the second incident tomorrow. Stay tuned to this website.
Others in the neighborhood reported seeing an older red pickup with teenagers piled in the back in the vicinity. It is unknown whether or not the vehicle sighting is related to the burglaries.
UPDATE
With regard to the two reported incidents in MLE on May 29th, yet another burglary occurred in the same area that day but the resident only mentioned it in passing recently to Kathy Rigg. In that case, the home apparently had little that interested the thief/thieves so they took only clothes and a backpack. Fast forward to the incidents reported June 9th where a guest reported seeing someone in the forest ... Kathy recalls the same type of thing happening several years ago in the same subdivision when an occupant had a brother who was wanted, staying with them off and on. Turned out he was spending the off time living in the forest and creeping around homes and stealing. He was eventually caught and jailed. Don't know if it is the same person although if someone was living in the forest it could be a scenario for some of these items.
Just to update you on our break-in near 11th Pearl - it took a few days to notice that a digital camera with a 1GB disk and jewelry were also taken.
An MLE resident on Ruby ID'd a red Dodge pick-up truck, clean and in good condition about mid-90's model in the driveway of the home near 9th & Ruby on the day of the break-in.
INCIDENT
Thursday, May 24
Kaleponi near Alii Kane in HOIE:
Sometime during the night, thieves cut through a heavy chain link strand of a driveway where a house was under construction and stole building equipment including fencing and cement as well as power tools. During the day preceding the incident, neighbors noticed two unfamiliar vehicles and occupants in the immediate area. One vehicle is described as beat up green Pinto with two heavy-set locals inside and the other was a white Suzuki Samurai convertible occupied by three locals of average build, perhaps in their 30's.
INCIDENT
Thursday, May 10
Iiwi Road:
"Things usually seem to be very peaceful and quiet around here - which we love and is why we're here - but last night, after dark, around 7:15 pm, we had three young people (one male, two females, early to mid 20's) knock on our front door. We did have our front porch light on - my husband had just returned from picking up our dinner order - so maybe that is what attracted them - anyway, my husband went to the door. The three were dressed like 60's type hippies ( women in long skirts, male with full beard and long unkempt hair with knit hat). The man asked if we would be interested in a DVD of his music (which he said was "quiet and soothing") - they were accepting donations and one of the women also suggested my husband look at her anti-aging creams (which she mentioned came from South Point), the other woman mentioned the male was with the "Hilo Orchestra (he was carrying a large ukulele or small guitar case). I noticed one of the women kept peering past the door, into the house. They were in no way combative, and when my husband said he was not interested, they left without incident. I just thought it was very 'unusual' (to say the least) - we live off Iiwi on a very sparsely populated gravel road. They appeared to be on foot - we did not see a vehicle. One of the women also handed my husband a religious brochure. Again, it seemed very suspicious. I thought the incident was worth noting. We will try to be here and attend the Neighborhood Watch meeting in June. Thank you for your time and concern."
- Anonymous
INCIDENT
Wednesday, May 2
VGC:
A home on Pukeawe
Circle in Volcano Golf Course was burglarized sometime between Sunday night and today while the owners were away. A neighbor noticed a light
colored 4 door sedan, probably newer than 2000, but couldn't
identify model. The home was all lit up. The police were
notified. The thieves took, among other things, a big flat screen TV.
INCIDENT
Thursday, April 19th:
I reported to the police and it was suggested by the new (Community Patrol) CP officer that I could let you know.
While my family and I were at work, my neighbor on Haunani let me know that there was a silver-bluish, older model compact sedan that pulled all the way down into my driveway. When they didn't leave, she [my neighbor] came over to see who they were. There was a male driver, Hawaiian-Chinese-Filipino smaller stature. The female passenger was a larger woman; she thought around 200 pounds with two front teeth missing. They claimed to be looking for someone. The female had gotten out of the car and was going around to the back of my house. It was also unusual because my son usually rides his bike to work and the car is always home next door. Just happened that his car was also gone that day. Not sure if others have seen this couple around the neighborhood doing the same time or if they are legit. Felt better to error on the side of caution and let people know. Thank goodness for a nosey neighbor! Sorry, she forgot to get license plate number. I'll remind her to use her picture phone next time.
Thank you for maintaining such a wonderful website. Great information, especially the message to our famous Mr. Green car who we thought was off our road when they moved. He is back! Mahalo for helping to keep our neighborhood safe.
- Anonymous
JERSEY DEVIL FOLLOWUP
Mid-April:
Matthew A. Thomas has been performing volunteer community service at the Cooper Center according to Linda Ugalde.
JERSEY DEVIL
Monday, March 19
Received the following telephone tip at 5:30 PM -
"The white truck is HJM-825 Packed solid in the back with stuff and the front seat also. Could not get a good look at the man inside and couldn't see if anyone was with him.
I followed him along a circuitous route staring on 12th and Ruby to Pearl, then he turned right on 10th and went to Jade. Turned left on Jade and then turned right on 9th. 9th is a dead end off Jade with no houses. He was moving very slowly the whole time. He pulled to the left side of the street about half way down and just stayed there."
As I was on my way home from the Village at the time, I slipped over there and found the guy parked on 9th makai of Jade as described. I sat and watched while the apparent driver of the truck sat on the road near the passenger door. Shortly thereafter, another man emerged from the forest opposite the white truck, so thinking we had something sinister in progress, I called a homeowner who lives in proximity to Jade and 9th, agreeing to sit in his driveway until he returned home to secure his premises.
As luck would have it, the homeowner recognized one of the people under observation and took it upon himself to approach both of the men. He discovered that the one emerging from the forest had a legitimate right to be there, while our main suspect provided reasons of his own. I followed his lead and approached the driver of the white truck myself and this is what I learned:
His name is Mathew A. Thomas. A New Jersey native, he's relatively new to the island. Although homeless and "living" on a piece of property adjacent his truck, he apparently has the owner's permission to stay there. He said he had advertised to rent a small place for about $250 a month when this landowner invited him to stay on his parcel free of charge for a while. I didn't verify his claim but felt fairly certain he was telling the truth. He's actually quite likeable although a bit stand-offish. He apparently knew he was under surveillance and had been encouraged to approach our Neighborhood Watch Association to explain himself. I encouraged him to show his face at Farmer's Market and get to know people if he plans on staying in the area.
I think we'll be seeing more of Mathew, and I look forward to learning more about him.
While I'm satisfied that he's not our suspect, the fact remains that another couple drives a similar vehicle and is guilty of at least one unlawful entry as was reported earlier. Let's continue our vigilance. A big "thanks" to those who helped track down the Jersey Devil.
FOLLOW UP
(to most recent incident)
Information submitted by a resident of MLE:
"I was out walking the dogs about 6am this morning [Saturday, March 17] on Nahelenani heading toward Liona. A white
p\u truck with a camper was heading toward us. I didn't have my glasses, but it appeared to be a Mazda (late '80s or
early '90s). I did not get the number, but may have been HTF or HTC-xxx. Sorry there's no more information, but
I'll be wearing my glasses in the future.
The picture below is somewhat like what I saw. This is a 1992 2wd, but my sighting is probably slightly older."
INCIDENT
Thursday, March 15 - 7:45 am
MLE
"I live near Tenth and Pearl. This morning at 7:45 a white pickup truck with matching white camper shell drove into in my neighbor's driveway. The property is fenced so he could only go a short way in. He looked liked he was 'scoping out' the place until he saw that my neighbor was watching him. He then reversed out and slowly proceeded back down Tenth Street for several hundred feet. He got out of the truck and walked around for a minute or so and then left. He turned left on Pearl.
The truck is an older model Nissan or Toyota but did not look 'busted up.' The driver looked kind of unkempt. I thought I saw a women alongside him. Looked like she had very long blond hair.
My neighbor only got the part of license plate number, HJM xxx. It may be nothing, but the driver seemed
a little unsettled when he discovered that someone was watching him.
Another thing. My neighbor's two dogs appeared at the gate, barking. When the driver stopped down the road he saw that my neighbor and I were out on the road watching him. Hopefully he got the message. One of the dogs is part pit bull and looks like she can do a lot of damage."
