Canoe paddle used as weapon in Kaneohe robbery attempt

A man said he was beaten by a man with a canoe paddle during a robbery attempt in Kaneohe on Monday.

The victim, 22, told police a man holding a wooden canoe paddle demanded some of his belongings at about noon Monday. When the victim refused, the man struck him several times with the paddle but ran off without any of the victim’s belongings, police said.

Online scam ‘rents’ houses actually for sale by owners

Hawaii County police warned the public Tuesday about a scam that lists houses for rent by fake owners while they are actually listed for sale by the real owners.

A South Kohala woman answered an online ad listing a home for rent on Kawai­hae Road by a person who claimed to be living in the United Kingdom. The person asked the victim to fill out an online rental application and wire $2,258 to cover the first month’s rent, security deposit and a key deposit.

The rental agreement and keys were to be delivered to the renter. When the house keys did not arrive, the victim became suspicious and drove to the street address of the rental, where she saw a "for sale" sign in front of the house. After contacting the real estate agent, the victim learned the home was offered for sale and not for rent by the actual owners.