No bail for cop
in ‘ice’ burglary

A U.S. magistrate cites her
concern for community safety

Harold Cabbab: The Pearl City HPD officer was arrested Dec. 10 in a federal sting

A federal magistrate denied bail yesterday for a 10-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department who faces charges of trying to steal crystal methamphetamine from drug dealers.

U.S. Magistrate Leslie Kobayashi said yesterday there were no conditions that she could impose that would ensure the appearance of officer Harold Cabbab Jr. at trial or ensure the safety of the community.

Cabbab, a former University of Hawaii baseball star, was arrested on Dec. 10 after he and another man allegedly tried to steal 18 to 20 pounds of "ice" with the intent to sell it.

He appeared before Kobayashi rumpled and unshaven. It was his second appearance in federal court since his arrest. His wife, former Rainbow Wahine volleyball player Jenny Wilton, and other family members and friends attended the hearing.

The hearing, which lasted just minutes, gave Cabbab no time to acknowledge his supporters as he was ushered out of the courtroom by U.S. marshals. His wife cried as he was led away.

Cabbab, assigned to patrol at the Pearl City district, was arrested after he and another man allegedly broke into a Makiki storage facility the night before and left with what they believed to be 18 to 20 pounds of crystal methamphetamine that arrived from California. The shipment of drugs was actually fake and planted in a storage locker by federal agents.

The arrest and charge stemmed from several taped conversations in which Cabbab and an acquaintance discussed taking nearly 20 pounds of "ice" from drug dealers while posing as undercover officers. They hoped to make at least $100,000 each after selling it.

But the acquaintance turned out to be an informant for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The two began discussing the rip-off scheme after Cabbab brought it up in a conversation at the home of the acquaintance in mid-October, according to prosecutors.

During their conversations, Cabbab indicated he needed money and that the holidays were the worst time to be broke, prosecutors allege.

He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years' imprisonment if convicted.

Federal Public Defender Peter Wolff, who is defending Cabbab, declined comment on the charges.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday. However, Assistant U.S. attorney Mike Kawahara said he anticipates an indictment from a federal grand jury.