Man goes to court on charges of ID theft
The case involves a Kauai man who is reported missing
A Honolulu man appeared yesterday in Honolulu District Court on a charge of first-degree identity theft in a case involving a Kauai man who has been missing since a midsummer trip to the Philippines with the suspect.
Henry Calucag was released on $50,000 bail yesterday after appearing on felony charges that also include first-degree theft and second-degree forgery. Calucag, also known as Hank Jacinto, is scheduled to appear tomorrow for a preliminary hearing in District Court.
Calucag allegedly used forged documents to take possession of Kauai property owned by John Elwin, who is well known as a polo player in island clubs.
Elwin was reported missing by his brother Christopher. The brother and friends went to Kauai police after Elwin failed to contact his daughter on her birthday and could not be reached by telephone and e-mail.
The Honolulu Police Department's white-collar crime unit joined the investigation after the missing man's friend, developer Luis Soltren, discovered that the title warranty for a Kauai parcel owned by Elwin had been transferred to "H. Jacinto."
Detective David Wadahara said in a court affidavit that police determined that Elwin and a bank notary public had signed a document transferring ownership of a car from Elwin to Calucag.
The affidavit said that Elwin's credit card was used since his disappearance, for a mail order purchase of polo mallets from a Florida company, delivered to a Honolulu address used by Calucag.
Wadahara arrested Calucag Sunday at the Waimanalo polo fields. Calucag rode four horses, all allegedly owned by Elwin, during the afternoon polo match, according to police.
The detective's affidavit said Elwin had wired $200,000 to an escrow company owned by Calucag before their trip to the Philippines.
Elwin's dental records were requested by Philippine officials as part of the missing-person case.
Calucag is a wealthy businessman in the Philippines, according to the detective.
The city Prosecutor's Office asked that bail be set at $1 million because he is considered a flight risk. But District Judge Fa'auuga To'oto'o released him on the lower bail after his court appearance yesterday.
