On the Hawai‘i Island, a man identified as 33-year-old Kulike Ventura-Tampos from Honoka‘a has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses following a series of vehicle break-ins and an assault that occurred on Wednesday, Oct. 22, in the Kalopa area. Ventura-Tampos faces allegations including an attempted vehicle theft and assault on a County employee.
The initial report came in shortly after 12 p.m., when a County worker was allegedly struck by Ventura-Tampos during an attempt to hijack the County vehicle, this incident took place along Kalopa-Mauka Road. After fleeing the scene, Ventura-Tampos was found by police in a nearby residence's Toyota truck, having shattered the vehicle’s window and attempting to start the truck.
According to the Hawai‘i Police, items from three different vehicles were found scattered in the yard, linking Ventura-Tampos to the break-ins. During the investigation, officers also recovered a digital scale and a straw that contained a crystal substance, presumptively methamphetamine.
Following consultation with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, the police have charged him with offenses related to unauthorized entry into motor vehicles, assault, theft, and drugs. Among the charges were three counts of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, first-degree attempted theft, and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. Ventura-Tampos' bail has been set at $157,000, and he was scheduled to make his initial court appearance yesterday, Oct. 23, in Hilo District Court.
