MEDIA RELEASE

Darren K. Ornellas

Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating an 18-year-old Hilo man wanted for suspicion of a burglary that happened yesterday (Thursday) in Puna.

Darren K. Ornellas is described as a local male, 5’5” tall, weighing about 135 pounds, tan complexion, short brown hair, and a light mustache. He is known to operate a brownish colored 1992 Honda 4 door sedan with dark colored rims with a chrome finish ring, bearing license plate HLS-049.

On April 3, 2014 at about 2:30 p.m., police responded to an in progress burglary at a residence on 23rd Avenue in Hawaiian Paradise Park. A 62-year-old Keaau man reported seeing a suspicious male proceed to the front door of his neighbor’s residence and then to the rear of the residence, where he discovered signs of a break-in.

The neighbor confronted the suspect as he was seen running from the residence and towards another residence, where he subsequently ran into the bushes.

Police learned that cash and electronic devices were stolen from the residence.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section are continuing the investigation which is classified as a first degree burglary case.

Police ask that anyone with information on this incident or may know the whereabouts of Ornellas or the vehicle to call the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Royce Serrao of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2272 or email at rpserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide number for Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.