193 arrested in
Big Isle sting

Police set up businesses to buy
stolen property, then branched
into a gambling sting

By Rod Thompson
rthompson@starbulletin.com

HILO >> Big Island police set up an undercover sting operation to buy stolen property that branched out into gambling and resulted in 193 arrests, police announced.

Another 30 theft arrests are expected and 52 drug cases are under investigation, they said. Several people were arrested for more than one offense, police said.

During the 22-month operation in the Hilo and Puna areas, police said they recovered $170,526 worth of stolen property of which $153,500 has been returned to its owners.

Among the items was a new $30,000 truck recovered by the undercover police before the truck dealer knew it was stolen. Other items included firearms, electronic equipment, mechanical and woodworking tools, fishing equipment, and camera equipment, police said.

Police set up two business for the sting operation - Reyn's Repair, an engine repair shop in the industrial area near Hilo airport, and T's Exchange, a computer repair shop in downtown Hilo.

While the theft sting was under way, some of the people selling stolen items proposed that the buyers set up gambling operations.

Police then switched the focus of the operation, with the Vice Section taking over and concentrating on making gambling cases.

Eventually 138 arrests were made for 357 gambling and gambling-related offenses, they said. Police also learned of and made arrests at gambling operations at homes and businesses.

The operation began in December 1999 under Capt. Francis Rodillas, then a lieutenant in the Criminal Investigation Section, police said.

Police linked the operation to a 30 percent decrease in burglaries in Hilo during a two-year period ended last year.

The undercover sting operation confirmed the link between drug activity and property crimes, police said. Police said drug dealers would take stolen property in payment for drugs, thus increasing the incentive of drug users to steal.

They also confirmed that people involved in gambling also perpetrate or benefit from property crimes. People who were owed gambling debts would accept property in payment. Several people also acted as enforcers to collect the debts, police said.

The operation was funded by a federal Byrne Administration Grant administered by the state attorney general, police said.