Kalihi man arrested for alleged sex assault

Police arrested a 50-year-old Kalihi man who allegedly sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl.

Police said the girl, who is considered incompetent, reported being sexually assaulted Sept. 8 by the man in Wahiawa.

Police arrested the man on Monday on suspicion of first- and third-degree sexual assault and endangering the welfare of an incompetent person.

He was released pending further investigation.

3 teens are arrested in 2 computer thefts

Big Island police said yesterday that they have made arrests in two unrelated burglaries at South Kohala district schools.

Two Waimea boys, ages 16 and 14, were arrested Thursday and charged with burglary in connection with the theft of eight laptop computers valued at $3,600 from Waimea Middle School.

Police credited students and adults in the Waimea community for tips that helped them solve the burglary, which was reported Nov. 6.

Also, a 16-year-old Waikoloa boy was arrested Dec. 11 and charged with burglary for allegedly stealing a laptop computer and a desktop computer valued at $5,600 from Waikoloa Elementary School, police said. The burglary was reported Sept. 28.

Police said they recovered the computers stolen in both burglaries.

E-mail scam bilks Big Isle man of $700

Big Island police are warning the public about an e-mail and identity theft scam that victimized a Hamakua man yesterday.

The man told police he received an e-mail from what he believed to be an authentic e-mail address of a family friend who had a frantic request.

The friend said she was in London where her bags containing her passport and wallet were stolen, leaving her broke and helpless.

She asked that the man send her $700 through Western Union.

The man was suspicious, so he sent an e-mail response in which he asked a question he believed only the friend could answer.

The “;friend”; replied with the correct answer, so the man sent the money.

Police said they don't know how the scammer gained access to the e-mail account, the woman's contact list and e-mail history allowing him or her to answer the question correctly.

Police advise the public to use caution when replying to suspicious e-mails, particularly if they ask for money.