Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating the theft of a school bus from a base yard in the Hawaiʻi Ocean View Estates subdivision in Ocean View.

On May 2, a bus company employee received a remote alert indicating that one of the company’s buses was in operation. Police responded to the base yard where they discovered an office had been broken into and a 2024 Ford bus, used to transport students with physical or mental disabilities, had been stolen.

Through investigation, the bus was later located at a property in the 92-8500 block of Tiki Lane where officers encountered four men, one of whom fled on foot. The remaining three were taken into custody.

One of the individuals, Mathew James, was charged with second degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle. His bail was set at $1,000, and he appeared in Kona District Court. The other two individuals were released pending further investigation.

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying six additional individuals involved. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118 or via email at  donovan.kohara@hawaiipolice.gov,

HPD