LIHU‘E — Brad Bennett, a Colorado developer and Kaua‘i homeowner, said he is pleased that one of the burglaries that occurred in his home in Po‘ipu has been solved. But he is still hoping that a $10,000 reward will help
LIHU‘E — Brad Bennett, a Colorado developer and Kaua‘i homeowner, said he is pleased that one of the burglaries that occurred in his home in Po‘ipu has been solved.
But he is still hoping that a $10,000 reward will help push someone to come forward to help Kaua‘i Police Department investigators solve the first burglary at his residence, which occurred in the fall of last year.
Annette Manners, 29, of Kekaha, pleaded not guilty yesterday in Circuit Court to 12 counts of first-degree burglary, six counts of second-degree theft, two counts of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, and one count each of fourth-degree theft and third degree theft.
Manners, who is eight months pregnant, was in maternity clothes, as she had posted bail previously. She left quickly after entering her plea.
A trial date is scheduled for April 20.
Manners, who was offered a plea deal of pleading guilty to 12 felonies, has not yet accepted the deal.
Among the burglaries she is charged with is the second of two at Bennett’s Lawa‘i Road home. The first remains unsolved.
While Bennett is pleased and said he plans to pay an informant a $15,000 reward he offered if Manners is convicted, the first burglary of his home still bugs him.
Bennett said the first burglary stings because his son, daughter-in-law and grandson were in the home at the time. Also, thieves took off with between $6,000 and $7,000 worth of cash and personal belongings, including a Dell laptop computer, Sony digital camera, Canon binoculars, and other easy-to-carry items.
“I really believe there’s a link between the reward and the capture of these people,” said Bennett from Colorado. “Hopefully, we can help our island.”
Bennett said the $15,000 reward he offered for the second burglary will be paid to an un-named informant if Manners is convicted.
Right now, if she rejects the plea deal, she will go to trial and whoever helped bring Manners to justice might be called to testify. Then, if Manners is convicted, the person will receive the reward.
Staff Writer Tom Finnegan may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or mailto:tfinnegan@pulitzer.net.
