A joint task force from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and the Hawai‘i Police Dept. (HPD) recovered an $18,000 UTV from a property in the Puna district. In November 2021 the UTV, two trucks and a tilt trailer were stolen from a DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) base yard in Hilo.
Investigators located the two trucks (a 2008 Toyota Tacoma, a 2018 Ford F350), and the 18-foot-long trailer. The value of the stolen vehicles and the trailer exceeds $130,000. The $70,000 Ford truck was recovered in January and HPD arrested two suspects.
During the break in thieves also took 140 individual items which included packs, tools, chain saws, first aid kits, raincoats, fire extinguishers, coolers, water cans, and fuel cans. Officers have not yet been able to locate the items
The investigation is continuing, and no other arrests have been made. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call the DOCARE Hotline at 634-DLNR, HPD at (808) 935-3511, or submit an anonymous tip via the free DLNRTip app.
Photo credit: DLNR