Puna resident scares away trio of burglars

Hawaii County police are looking for three men who entered a Puna home Monday night but ran away when confronted by an occupant.

At about 10:30 p.m. Monday, police responded to a call about a home invasion. A couple was awakened by noises, and the husband went to check and discovered three males who ran when confronted, police said. Neither occupant was injured, nor was anything taken from the home.

Two of the suspects were described as about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall, while the third suspect was described as about 5 feet 9 inches tall.

Police asks that anyone with information contact Detective Royce Serrao at 961-2272 or at rpserrao@ co.hawaii.hi.us.

Missing woman, 35, last spoke to mom Aug. 29

Hawaii County police are asking for the public’s help in locating a 35-year-old woman who moved to Kapaau in May and was reported missing.

Claudette Morell last spoke to her mother Aug. 29, saying she was going to Wai­manu Valley and would be out of touch for five days. Morell’s mother received a text Sept. 7 from an unknown telephone number saying that Morell will be in Wai­manu Valley for two to four weeks or, possibly, years, police said. Morell’s mother called the phone number and spoke with an unidentified male who informed her that Morell was in Wai­manu Valley with "Heather and Jake."

Morell is described as Caucasian, about 5 feet 3 inches tall, 150 pounds. She has blue eyes, long straight strawberry blond hair and wears glasses. She has a tattoo of a vine with leaves, stretching from her left knee to ankle on the outer side of her leg.