Police and Fire

Man accused of scamming elderly

A 31-year-old Kaimuki man is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow in connection with a scam involving nearly a dozen East Honolulu senior citizens in which he allegedly collected money to trim trees and then skipped out on the work.

Vilisoni Sekope Mafi, 31, of Palani Avenue was charged Friday with three counts of second-degree theft and five counts of third-degree theft. His bail was set at $50,000.

Mafi was arrested at the main police station about 7 p.m. Thursday.

Police said the 10 victims are in their 60s through 90s and were scammed between June 23 and Wednesday.

Mafi has nine convictions in Hawaii, including two felonies for terroristic threatening and escape, according to the state’s Criminal Justice Data Center website.

He was convicted of driving without a license in June and sentenced to pay court fees and 60 hours of community service, the website said.

Suspect charged in 2 car break-ins

A 32-year-old Makiki man was charged Friday with stealing a vehicle, then breaking into a second vehicle in East Honolulu.

Hung Ngo of Young Street is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and was charged with driving a stolen vehicle and breaking into a vehicle.

Police said Ngo stole a vehicle Thursday morning in Honolulu, then hours later broke into a second vehicle and stole property before driving off in the first vehicle. Witnesses reported the incidents, and officers located Ngo at Koko’s Island Chevron at Koko Marina Center.

Officers returned the vehicle and the property to the owners.