Posted on 08/17/2002 9:28:39 PM PDT by Vidalia
WAILUKU — An Oahu woman told police she had smoked crystal methamphetamine the morning she and her boyfriend were arrested for a series of crimes on Molokai.
Dorcelyn N. Amina, 44, who is also known as Dorcelyn Ching, implicated Kurt N. Ishikawa and another man in burglaries and thefts that began when the three arrived on Molokai for a vacation July 25, said Maui police officer Christina Williams.
Testifying Wednesday at a preliminary hearing in Wailuku District Court, Williams said she questioned Amina following her arrest Aug. 8. At 8:42 that morning, Williams and officer Ryan Pursley went to the Hotel Molokai Local Store near Kaunakakai to investigate a break-in.
After the hotel security manager told the officers he was suspicious about a hotel guest who had been using the telephone in the lobby at 3 a.m., the officers said they asked 29-year-old Ishikawa if they could search his hotel room and rental car.
While she began searching the room where Amina was also staying, Williams said Ishikawa picked up a “Hello Kitty” bag that the officer then took from him. “That’s when I found the drugs,” she said. In the bag were Ziploc bags containing what appeared to be crystal methamphetamine, lighters, lighter fluid and clear plastic baggies, she said.
“Ishikawa said, ‘That’s mine, not my girlfriend’s. That’s my ice,’” Williams said.
She also found sterling silver jewelry with the price tags attached that had been taken from the hotel Local Store.
She said a pipe containing what appeared to be crystal methamphetamine residue fell out of Amina’s shirt when the officer picked it up.
A notebook on the bed, which Amina said was hers, contained checks belonging to Local Store, Williams said.
In the luggage in the room, she said she found surf shorts, bathing suits and other items matching the description of property stolen in a rash of crimes on Molokai.
Pursley, who searched the Dodge Intrepid that Ishikawa had rented, said he found two walkie-talkies, a battery charger, pager, stapler, tape and a bag with tools in the trunk.
Except for the tools, those items had been stolen in a break-in July 27 at Wavecrest Resort in Ualapue, Pursley said.
He said Ishikawa admitted to the break-in, saying he acted as lookout while the other man entered the resort. Ishikawa also said he stole fishing supplies from Paniolo Hale in Kaluakoi, broke into a soda machine in Kualapuu to steal the change and stole clothing from Touch of Molokai store, Pursley said.
Judge Rhonda Loo ruled there was enough evidence to support six felony charges against Ishikawa and Amina, both Waianae residents. Each is charged with two counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree theft, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Two other felony charges for second-degree theft of items from Paniolo Hale and car theft of the rental car were dismissed.
The two will be arraigned Aug. 27 in 2nd Circuit Court.
Deputy Prosecutor John Tam said police are investigating other offenses the two may be involved in. Police also are still investigating a third suspect in the thefts and burglaries.
Amina is being held in lieu of $12,000 bail and Ishikawa in lieu of $6,000 bail at the Maui Community Correctional Center.
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