HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division warned the public of a scam where an individual claimed to be a Deputy Sheriff or employee with the Hawaii District Attorney’s office or Governor’s office.
Officials stated the scammer would call people with a manipulated phone number to make it look like it came from the Sheriff Division or Governor’s office.
“An autopsy was conducted on and the manner of death was determined to be a homicide this case has since been reclassified as an unattended death to a murder in the second degree.”
It all started just before 9 P.M. Monday night.
A woman who was walking by said she heard arguing coming from a fourth floor apartment.
“I saw the two mans fighting inside the house they were fighting and struggling, they came out to the balcony they was fighting and then the guy wen choke him up against the wall,” she explained. “I thought somebody was going to fall over the balcony cause they were fighting really bad.”
Others who live in the building heard it too.
“I heard some commotion outside and I heard some pop-pops, but I thought it was fireworks.”
The witness said she heard three or four loud pops. Shortly after that, she heard the sound of glass shattering.
One witness said she looked outside and saw something drop from a fourth floor apartment to the ground, and she realized it was a man when he got up and started running up the street.
“As our investigation continued,” Thoemmes said, “the suspect was positively identified as 31-year-old Scott DeAngelo, an acquaintance of the victim. Deangelo has not been apprehended at this time. Deangelo had reportedly fled the scene with a firearm, which has not been recovered.”
Deangelo’s vehicle was located in near a residence on Kamehamhea Highway in Hau’ula. Police are currently searching for him and ask anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact Crimestoppers at (808) 955-8300. The public may now send anonymous web tips to
www.honolulucrimestoppers.org or via the P3 Tips App.
Thoemmes said Deangelo should be considered armed and dangerous.
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The scammer used a fake name in several cases – ‘Jessica Mendoza.’
During these calls, people reported the scammer said they had an outstanding arrest warrant. To get rid of it, the scammer instructed them to make a payment using gift cards or a money-sharing app.
Officials reminded the public that the Sheriff and Governor’s office would not call, text or email asking for personal information, as well as electronic and phone payment for arrest warrants.
Hawaii resident should also not give out any credit card and personal information to callers claiming to be from a law enforcement agency.
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Anyone who receives a call, text or email similar to this scam should call the Sheriff Division at 586-1352.