HomeMy WebLinkAboutPuhiArson.pdfDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: May 09, 2022
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
(808) 241-1600
Kauai police seek public’s help finding suspected arson
PUHI – The Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD) is asking for the public’s help locating an
unidentified individual suspected of arson.
At approximately 5:15 pm on April 26th, security cameras captured an unknown individual
exiting a parked white Toyota Corolla on the northbound shoulder of Puhi rd. across from Puhi Metals
Recycling Facility. The individual then proceeded to walk around the vehicle and set fire to a patch of dry
grass along the shoulder before returning to the vehicle and fleeing the scene.
Kaua‘i Fire Department and Lihue Rescue personnel responded to the scene and extinguished
the fire. Upon further investigation, it was concluded that an accelerant was not used to start the fire.
“It is crucial that we find these perpetrators that pose an unnecessary danger to our Kaua‘i Fire
Department personnel and neighbors,” said Investigative Services Bureau Assistant Chief Bryson Ponce.
He added, “these types of crimes are usually carried out by repeat offenders who have no concern for how
quickly these fires can spread through wind and dry grass. They rarely consider the tremendous
consequences their actions pose to our island and personal property. We are fortunate that this fire was
contained and extinguished before it could spread to a nearby residential neighborhood.”
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call KPD Dispatch at 241-1711.
Anonymous tips can also be made online by visiting Crime Stoppers Kauaʿi at www.cskauai.org.
Still image from security footage
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