Kona crime spree ends with arrest and charges

A 19-year-old Kona man who allegedly broke into several homes and stole items including vehicles and a retired police officer's retirement badge during a monthlong crime spree has been charged with 17 counts on the Big Island.

Between Oct. 14 and last Saturday, Justin M.J. Gryde broke into at least four homes and one business in Kailua-Kona, police said. In some cases, Gryde stole car keys and drove off with the vehicles, police said.

Police said Gryde also broke into other vehicles and stole mo-peds.

Gryde was charged last week with several counts of car theft, breaking into a car, burglary, theft and one count of possessing confidential information. He was being held on $50,000 bail.

Home invasion attempt turns into shooting

Police arrested two men Thursday in connection with a break-in and shooting on the Big Island.

At about 10 p.m. a 34-year-old homeless man climbed through the living-room window of an acquaintance's home on King Kamehameha Boulevard in Kau, police said.

He punched the 45-year-old resident several times as he lay in bed in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, police said.

The suspect left, but apparently returned and tried to get back into the house, this time through the front door, police said. The resident fired two shots, hitting the other man once in the upper left thigh, police said.

The suspect was treated for a bullet wound and released from Kona Community Hospital. The resident did not need any medical attention. Both men were arrested.

Pauoa Valley home fire caused by lighter play

A fire that caused $525,000 in damage to a Pauoa Valley home on Wednesday was started by a child playing with a lighter, fire investigators say.

At 2:37 p.m. four people were home at 337 Liko Lane when the fire started. All escaped without injury, said Honolulu fire Capt. Terry Seelig.

The fire started in the second-floor living room and damaged the second-floor of the two-story home, Seelig said.

Fire investigators also said a fire at 629 Paikau St. in Waialae-Kahala the same day was also accidental. The 6:24 p.m. fire was started by an electrical malfunction in the power distribution panel in the carport. Damage to the home was estimated at $10,500.

BYU drowning victim identified as Laie man

The Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office identified a 59-year-old Laie man who apparently drowned yesterday at a Brigham Young University Hawaii swimming pool as William Hsu.

Paramedics received a call at 6:20 a.m. and found bystanders performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the man, said Bryan Cheplic, Honolulu Emergency Services spokesman.

The man was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died, Cheplic said. An autopsy to determine the cause of death will be done Monday.