Mililani family home burglarized on Christmas by phony guests

Burglars took about $30,000 in jewelry, unwrapped presents and clothes from a home in Mililani while its owners were away at a dinner celebration on Christmas Day.

Ernest and Sandra Chang's family came home about 6:30 p.m. to find their front door wide open, glass shattered and their bedroom turned inside out, Sandra Chang said.

Neighbors told them that they saw two young men in a silver BMW drive up and enter the front door as if they were making a holiday visit, she said. They did not raise suspicion because the thieves "didn't drive a junka-lunka car and dressed nicely," she said.

"It's sad, like somebody set us up. There was no hesitation, the way they drove right up into our driveway. Like they knew our routine -- that we always go to my parents' house on Christmas in Kalihi," Chang said.

Her most prized possessions, including three heavyweight gold Hawaiian personalized bracelets valued at $2,000 each, and her diamond wedding ring, were taken.

Chang said, "It's a long shot, but maybe someone trying to sell some jewelry" to pawn shops or individuals may remember the bracelets personalized with the following:

Eleneki (name on bracelet); and Happy Birthday Love Ernest 1995 (engraved inside);

Kekaimalumaikalani (name on bracelet); and Happy Birthday Love Albert (engraved inside)

Kuuleialoha (name on bracelet); and Happy Birthday Love Sophie (engraved inside).

Other items missing include her jade frog collections, two diamond tennis bracelets and most of her son's and nephew's clothing.

Detective Randall Borges of the Wahiawa police said he is still investigating the case. He asked anyone with information to call 911.