An iPhone foiled a 37-year-old man’s attempt to get away with a theft on a Waimanalo beach last week, police said.
Lenny Vaughn of Waimanalo was charged Thursday with second-degree theft. His bail was set at $11,000.
Police said Vaughn was walking along the beach at about 6 p.m. Wednesday when he took two bags containing various items. He was found about 50 minutes later via an iPhone locator and was arrested across the street from the beach on Laumilo Street.
Last month, a 25-year-old Kalihi man was charged with robbery after police said he robbed a game room on Young Street and was caught when officers tracked him down by the stolen iPhone’s locator.
Visitor from Iowa, 70, rescued off Maui
Maui fire and Ocean Safety personnel rescued a 70-year-old visitor from Iowa Thursday after he was pulled out by strong rip currents at Napili Bay in West Maui.
An Ocean Safety rescue watercraft was used to rescue the man, who had been swept out about 150 yards from the beach, the Maui Fire Department said in a news release.
Ocean Safety personnel arrived at 10:46 a.m. at D.T. Fleming Beach Park and brought the swimmer back to shore. Firefighters said he did not require medical attention.
The Fire Department says high surf pushes large amounts of water into Napili Bay during the winter, and it empties out to sea at the north end. Strong rip currents often pull unsuspecting swimmers to the north end of the bay, and often sweep them out to sea.
Hilo man is charged in golf cart theft
Hawaii County police charged a 22-year-old Hilo man Thursday with three felonies related to the theft of a golf cart from Waiakea High School.
Police said Kekanaka Perez-Poai was arrested Thursday in the burglary of a secured storage area at the school.
Police said they recovered a gas-powered golf cart, two car batteries and a glass pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue on it.
Perez-Poai was charged Thursday with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and third-degree promotion of drug paraphernalia. His bail was set at $6,000.
Anyone with information about the case or any who witnessed it is asked to call Detective Tuckloy Aurello at 961-2385 or tuckloy.aurello@hawaiicounty.gov or the police non-emergency line at 935-3311. Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.