Hilo Man Arrested in Puna Faces Theft, Drug Charges in Three Break-Ins

Tyler Napoleon, a 23-year-old man identified as being of Hilo, was arrested Friday evening, Feb. 13, in Puna on an outstanding warrant and charged the following day with second-degree theft and second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. Bail in the case was set at $15,000 by authorities.

Investigators say the probe began in mid-January and centers on three separate vehicle break-ins in Hilo. The first incident occurred in the early morning of Jan. 12 at a home improvement store in the 300 block of East Makaala Street where tools were taken from the bed of a truck. A second report the afternoon of Jan. 12 described a car break-in in the area of Amauulu Road and Maikalani Street. The third incident took place between the evening of Jan. 12 and the morning of Jan. 13 at a residence in the 1000 block of Komohana Drive, where tools belonging to two victims were removed from a truck bed.

A South Hilo patrol officer observed a vehicle on Jan. 13 that had been linked to the Jan. 12 Amauulu Road-Maikalani Street report and conducted a traffic stop. Police identified Napoleon as the driver during that stop, observed stolen property inside the truck, and recovered items on scene. A search warrant executed after the traffic stop yielded $798 in stolen property and methamphetamine, police said. Investigators determined the recovered property belonged to three victims in separate vehicle break-ins.

The Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney conferred with police and filed charges on Feb. 14, listing second-degree theft and second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. Authorities did not publish the quantity or weight of the methamphetamine recovered in the search, and prosecutors have not provided details in charging documents about counts beyond the named charges.

The Hawai‘i Police Department urged practical precautions for drivers after the arrests. “Police encourage the public to avoid leaving valuables unsecured and unattended in truck beds”, the department said in its public safety message. Detective Amy Omaya has been listed as the contact for information about the investigation; she can be reached at (808) 961-2381 and by email at amy.omaya@hawaiipolice.gov. The department’s non-emergency number is (808) 935-3311 and the HPD office in Hilo is listed at 349 Kapi‘olani Street.

A mug photo of Napoleon is available with news agencies that covered the case. Police have not released information on any arraignment dates or whether Napoleon has retained counsel. Anyone with tips related to the incidents is asked to contact Detective Amy Omaya or call the HPD non-emergency line.