Man accused of 12 car break-ins

A 45-year-old Hilo man has been charged in connection with a dozen car break-ins in Hilo.

Most of the break-ins were in downtown Hilo along Kilauea Avenue, or in the Keaukaha area.

The investigation began when an employee of a Kilauea Avenue business reported that she saw a man open her car door, grab her purse and run away on Oct. 26. The woman chased the suspect on foot but lost him after he turned up Kukuau Street.

A police investigation led to the arrest of Joseph Ada on Thursday. Further investigation linked him to 11 other car break-ins.

Detectives charged Ada on Friday with 12 counts of unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, four counts of second-degree theft, two counts of third-degree theft, 12 counts of fourth-degree theft, eight counts of third-degree identity theft and eight counts of fraudulent use of a credit card.

His bail was set at $262,000.

Test results are pending on body

Hawaii County police said preliminary autopsy results gave no indication that foul play was involved in the death of Ronald Moku Kahapea, 50, of Hilo, whose body was found Nov. 8 in the Banyan Drive area of Hilo.

The autopsy, conducted Friday, was inconclusive on the exact cause of death, police said. Officials are awaiting toxicology tests to determine the cause and manner of death.

South Hilo Patrol officers responded at about 6:45 a.m. Nov. 8 to a report of a body near the Banyan Drive golf course.