Police Arrest Man In UH Dorm Burglary Case

HONOLULU -- Honolulu police arrested a 20-year-old man on suspicion of burglary and possession of stolen items.

The man was arrested on Sunday morning in a dorm on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus.

Police credited several students who acted quickly to help apprehend the man.

The incident happened at the Hale Lokelani Dormitory building on the UH campus, when a student heard someone trying to break into her room.

"At about 8:30 this morning, a resident in the dorms was in her room and heard the door jiggling. At that point, she did the right thing, went downstairs to make a report. While she was downstairs reporting this to university officials, the male was observed by a witness trying to get into the room a second time," Honolulu Police Department Capt. Frank Fujii said.

The suspect was held by the second witness and eventually arrested. Police said the man is a 20-year-old from the Wahiawa area. UH officials said he is not a student.

Students that heard the news said they were relieved.

"I'm really glad they caught him. Again, we've had a couple burglaries, but people have left dorms unlocked. I think this is why they do it -- doors unlocked. But, I feel safe because I keep the doors locked," UH student Kelsey Kaplanek said.

Earlier this year, police were looking for a suspect in other burglaries and a sex assault case on campus in which a man broke into a woman's room. Police said this man is not a suspect in those cases.

Investigators plan to check to see if the man arrested in Sunday's case matches the description of suspects in other crimes in the UH area.