Puna Officer Honored for Role in Apprehending Dangerous Fugitives

The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaiʻi recently honored HPD Officer Christian Madera as April 2022 Officer of the Month for his role in the apprehension of three dangerous fugitives.
On April 23, 2022, Officer Madera received information from community members that a possible murder and serious assault had occurred the previous night.  He was able to obtain event details and gather intelligence regarding the possible location of the victim, as well as the suspect’s identity.  That information  allowed officers to locate the victim’s body in a remote area of Puna and secure the scene, allowing for the preservation of evidence.
While a small task force was assembled as part of the murder investigation, Officer Madera continued to work with detectives and stayed in contact with witnesses. Through his efforts, multiple witnesses came forward and a second victim, who was injured during this incident, provided key information that strengthened the investigation.
 
On April 28, while on his way to work, Officer Madera received information that wanted fugitives were in an industrial park in the Kea‘au area. He relayed this information to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and responded to the area.  While waiting for additional units to arrive, he began surveying the area and observed a stolen vehicle that the suspect was reportedly driving. Officer Madera maintained visual observation and continued to relay all information to responding units.
 
Upon the arrival of CID units, the vehicle fled the area and was subsequently located in a nearby nursery. During the course of this investigation a total of four suspects were apprehended and two stolen vehicles were recovered. Search warrants were executed on both vehicles, as well as a backpack worn by one of the suspects. The search warrant resulted in the recovery of various drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine, a ghost gun (un-serialized firearm), and ammunition.
 
Two of the parties responsible for the stolen vehicles, as well as the narcotics and firearms, were charged with multiple crimes resulting in a total bail of $305,000.
 
 
HPD Photo