SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - The recent arrest of a juvenile family member in the process of stealing from an unlocked car, here, serves as a reminder to the community to always secure personal belongings.
Following a rash of thefts from vehicles, investigators began conducting intelligence-based surveillance in housing areas where the larcenies were most prevalent, according to Miles Sharrock, Schofield Barracks police operations officer, Directorate of Emergency Services (DES).
While conducting covert surveillance, the investigators saw an individual with a flashlight rummaging through a vehicle at 1 a.m., Sharrock said. When the investigators approached, the suspect fled the scene on foot. The pursuing investigators apprehended the suspect approximately two blocks away.
"I want to commend the investigators on their solid police work in bringing a halt to these thefts," said Lt. Col. Dan Hulsebosch, director, DES. "However, this incident highlights two issues. One issue is parents need to be more connected to their children's activities. In addition to stealing, the apprehended youth was in violation of curfew, which is the responsibility of the parent."
The second issue Hulsebosch highlighted is people need to take responsibility for securing their belongings.
"The suspect admitted to utilizing targets of opportunity," said Dave Brown, chief of police, DES. "He would randomly check the door handles of cars until he found one unlocked. The suspect said if he thought a car was locked or had an alarm he would move on to the next vehicle."
When interviewed, the subject admitted to breaking into nine vehicles the night he was apprehended and more than 150 vehicles the days preceding his arrest, according to Sharrock.
A search of the suspect's residence resulted in the recovery of two stolen GPS systems, 10 stolen iPods, seven cameras, 12 knives, two video cameras, video games, credit cards and $111 in U.S. currency.
"The bottom line is lock your belongings up," Brown said. "When you leave things unsecured, you make it easier for someone to steal from you."
Curfew Policy
The garrison's curfew policy is taken from USAG-HI Policy 34- Child supervision policy for Army installations in Hawaii:
Aca,!AcChildren 13 years of age and younger will be inside their own or someone else's Army Hawaii Family Housing (AHFH) quarters between 9 p.m.- 6 a.m., unless they are under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or family member, 18 years of age or older.
Aca,!AcChildren 14-17 years of age will be inside their own or someone else's AHFH quarters between 11 p.m.-5:30 a.m., unless they are under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or family member, 18 years of age or older.
Exceptions to the curfew policy are returning home from a community facility, an installation activity, a youth services program or paid employment.
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