On June 8, Hilo Community Policing Section officers arrested five individuals for theft and trespassing at a Hilo Department store. After receiving multiple reports for shoplifting at the retailer, police performed the one day undercover operation and prevented the theft of more than $1,600 worth of merchandise. They also arrested and charged the following individuals:
- Brittnay Timbresa, age 33, of Mountain View, theft in the second degree
- Kaela Escalante, age 31 of Hilo, theft in the third degree
- Haylee Nishijima, age 21, of Hilo, theft in the fourth degree
- Bryson Sakai-Soto, age 27, no permanent address of Hilo, theft in the third degree and criminal trespass in the second degree
- Branden Bellotto, age 47, no permanent address of Hilo, theft in the fourth degree
Police will continue similar operations island-wide in an effort to deter thefts during the holiday season.
HPD Photo