Former Honolulu police officer Travis E. Copeland pleaded guilty in state court Thursday to two counts of insurance fraud.
He faces maximum five-year prison terms for each count at sentencing in October. His lawyer, however, indicated that Copeland will ask the court to defer his guilty pleas and give him the opportunity to avoid conviction.
The state’s Insurance Division says Copeland staged a burglary of his Pearl City home, then made an insurance claim for the loss of electronics, cash, liquor and jewelry, including engagement and wedding rings. His home insurer paid Copeland $4,796.
Copeland also claimed that his Mercedes-Benz, which eyewitnesses reported seeing burning nearby, was stolen in the burglary. The state says Copeland then made a claim with his automobile insurer. Before the insurer paid out $13,393 on the claim, the state says, Copeland admitted to staging the burglary and destroying his vehicle to make false insurance claims.
The Police Department says Copeland was employed by the department for 10 years up until his release in March.
Man, woman seriously injured in assault
A man and woman in their 50s were taken to a trauma center Thursday morning after they were assaulted on Liliha Street in front of the Kukui Gardens low-income housing project.
The woman suffered multiple injuries, and paramedics administered “life-saving procedures,” according to Emergency Medical Services. A 52-year-old man also was injured, EMS said. Both were transported in serious condition to a trauma center.
The assaults were reported at 10 a.m. at 1370 Liliha St., at the mauka-Diamond Head edge of the housing project near North Vineyard Boulevard.
