HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR042018KilaueamanarrestedafterextortingvictimsduringtheNorthShorereliefeffortsBERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.
Mayor
COUNTY OF KAUA'I
KAUA`I POLICE DEPARTMENT
News Release
For Immediate Release: April 20, 2018
WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Managing Director
DARRYL PERRY, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-1600
Fax (808) 241-1604
Kilauea man arrested after extorting victims during the North Shore relief
efforts
WAINIHA — Kaua'i Police arrested a 33-year-old male of Kilauea on Thursday after he
allegedly extorted money from flood victims during the relief efforts on the North Shore of
Kaua'i.
Stephen Koehne was arrested on the suspicion of Extortion in the First Degree, Robbery
in the Second Degree, and Terroristic Threatening in the Second Degree. He has since been
Released Pending Investigation and has not yet been formally charged.
According to a preliminary investigation, police were informed on Wednesday that an
operator of a boat vessel was offering rides to those who were evacuating the Wainiha area.
The man reportedly stopped the boat in the middle of the ocean and demanded the riders to pay
$200 or they would have to swim back to shore.
KPD's Investigative Services Bureau along with special investigators from the Office of
the Prosecuting Attorney collaborated in this ongoing investigation. The vessel, a 25-foot Riddle,
has since been seized as evidence.
"Those conducting illegal activities will be held accountable for their actions," said Kaua'i
Deputy Chief Michael Contrades. "With that said, we understand that tensions are high right
now, but we hope that our community can move forward and focus on the overwhelming
support that has also occurred on Kaua'i during this time of recovery."
The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information on this incident is urged
to contact KPD Detective Colin Nesbitt at 241-1698. The public is reminded that all individuals
are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.