Campus Security: Moped thief nabbed

Moped thief nabbed

By Jason Redulla
Campus Security Officer

Handcuffed and a ride in a Blue and White--that's how a moped theft suspect departed the University of Hawaii Manoa Campus. The July 15 incident resulted in the recovery of a stolen moped owned by a Student.
Sgt John Cook, a 23 year veteran of the Campus Security Department, became suspicious when he observed the operators of two mopeds passing vehicles on East-West Road at a high rate of speed. Upon approaching Cook's marked patrol unit, both males slowed, refusing to pass the Officer.
When Cook stopped for the traffic signal at the intersection of Dole St. and East-West Rd, the moped riders pulled along side. There, the Officer noticed that one of the mopeds was being operated without the ignition key and that the driver appeared to be obstructing view of the ignition with his leg. After being questioned briefly at the intersection, both males fled into the intersection with Cook in pursuit.
The pursuit ended a short distance later near the Kanewai Park, where both males were detained for questioning.
Using the UH Moped registration decal affixed to the moped in question, Officers were able to locate its student owner. It was determined that the moped was freshly taken from the Moore Hall bikerack while the student attended class.
Honolulu Police were summoned to the scene and placed the male operator of the moped under arrest. Both males were issued Trespass Warnings banning them from entering UH property.
The incident underscores the need for all UH Community members who own and operate mopeds on the campus to register with the Traffic Office.