Big isle grower reports
intruders shot at his guard

Morton Bassan says orange thieves have
cost him $2 million over the last 3 years

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By Rod Thompson
rthompson@starbulletin.com

SOUTH POINT ROAD, Hawaii >> One of four intruders fired two shots at a night watchman at Big Island orange grower Morton Bassan's orchard Wednesday night, Bassan said.

In the past year, Bassan has made more that 40 reports to police about orange thefts, and he estimates about $2 million in theft losses over the last three years.

Wednesday was the first time intruders fired shots, he said.

Twice in January, Bassan's watchman saw groups of up to 20 flashlight-carrying intruders, three carrying guns, but no shots were fired.

Bassan said he has fired a rifle and shotgun previously to scare off intruders, and he fired the rifle again -- about six shots -- Wednesday night.

Kau District police Capt. Ronald Nakamichi said police are conducting a reckless-endangering investigation regarding the intruders' shots. He declined to comment further.

Bassan's watchman, who asked not to be identified, told the Star-Bulletin he was walking the perimeter of the 150-acre orchard about 7:30 p.m. when he saw four flashlights approaching him through brush outside the orchard.

The watchman said he moved toward Bassan's house while calling him on a cell phone, then moved back toward his original spot.

Although it was a moonless night, the watchman said, the intruders may have seen his silhouette by starlight or heard him moving.

They fired at him and he heard the bullets. "They were close enough to zing past my head," he said. Then they ran away.

The watchman was wearing a military jacket and black pants.

But the watchman could still have been seen, said Bassan, who once hired a retired Army Ranger who showed him how to see in darkness.

Bassan said he has asked Nakamichi to post police in the orchard at night, but Nakamichi said he did not have enough personnel.