I don't know how you'd find out that detail.  I don't know if HPD offers the public details of break-ins for most of them.

It only takes a pair of scissors to cut the phone lines outside if accessible.  They can also cut through the coax cable.  Much safer than trying to cut the power line.  Cutting power isn't as effective anyway if, like most systems, the security devices run on battery, have battery backup, and alert the monitoring company to loss of commercial power.

Not sure why you ask if this happens in Hawaii.  I'm sure it happens in any state.  It only takes a minute of planning to see where the incoming lines are on a targeted building.

Condos/apartments might be more difficult unless the connections all run to a central point and is accessible without much trouble.

http://blog.frontpointsecurity.com/burglars-do-cut-phone-lines-adt-customer-tells-sad-tale-of-real-break-in/

As I mentioned earlier, burglars are becoming more aware of video surveillance.  You see videos on TV and the Web all the time now where the crooks wear hats and cover their faces to defeat video cameras.

one day at my office building, someone had tried to break into offices overnight
they cut every single phone line at the junction box
the phone company crew was there until WAY after I left for the night at 6 pm

one day at my office building, someone had tried to break into offices overnight
they cut every single phone line at the junction box
the phone company crew was there until WAY after I left for the night at 6 pm

it's crazy how much thieves are willing to damage and break just to score a few bucks....  Like how they smash car windows just to get change in the ash tray.   Or sucker punch someone on the street just to grab that 20 out of their wallet

it's crazy how much thieves are willing to damage and break just to score a few bucks....  Like how they smash car windows just to get change in the ash tray.   Or sucker punch someone on the street just to grab that 20 out of their wallet

I've had the outside A/C unit stolen from my rental property in VA -- TWICE!

We figure they are stripping the copper for selling to recyclers in other cities.

If they would have just left a note instead, I would have paid them whatever the copper is worth to prevent replacing the whole unit.  The money they make can't be close to what it cost me.   

Intruder wore a cap, his lookout did not though probably had one in the car. Guess these guys were experienced, though they made some tactical mistakes of their own. They might not want to wear a mask because it makes them look more dangerous, and more likely to be immediately shot upon sight. I wonder why the police can't just look up the license plate, arrest that guy, and search his house? The last time this happened, it was a rental car. I don't know about this time yet. And can't they just check cell phone numbers to determine they are stolen property?

Intruder wore a cap, his lookout did not though probably had one in the car. Guess these guys were experienced, though they made some tactical mistakes of their own. They might not want to wear a mask because it makes them look more dangerous, and more likely to be immediately shot upon sight. I wonder why the police can't just look up the license plate, arrest that guy, and search his house? The last time this happened, it was a rental car. I don't know about this time yet. And can't they just check cell phone numbers to determine they are stolen property?

You are supposed to report cell phones stolen.  They can flag it so it can't be activated.

You should contact the carrier for that phone.  They still control the number assigned to it.  Once they add it to the Bad ESN/IMEI list, that should flag it so no US carrier can activate it unless they take it out of the US or have the ability to flash it with another IMEI number.

If you have the carrier's insurance or a policy from a 3rd party like SquareTrade, you may be able to have the phone replaced for free or very cheap by the carrier.  All the more reason to let them know quickly it's gone.

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/how-report-lost-or-stolen-smart-device

I wonder why the police can't just look up the license plate, arrest that guy, and search his house? .... And can't they just check cell phone numbers to determine they are stolen property?

are you referring to OUR HPD?  they're too busy surveilling mail boxes.

are you referring to OUR HPD?  they're too busy surveilling mail boxes.

Too busy staking out gun owners who have medical marijuana cards to see if they visit any pot dispensaries...

hpd doesn't care about your stolen items unless someone is raped or killed in the process.  Then they utilize resources for an investigation. 

We've made some of the security improvements recommended here, and are continuing to make more, though I don't know how effective they will be. I think the same burglars already returned but were scared off a second time. They are scoping out my property.

I called the police wanting an update and they told me I have to wait for them to call me first...

one day at my office building, someone had tried to break into offices overnight
they cut every single phone line at the junction box
the phone company crew was there until WAY after I left for the night at 6 pm

I asked about the lines also because years ago, a bank was robbed and they cut the lines first.  So the silent alarm didn't work.

I called the police wanting an update and they told me I have to wait for them to call me first...

In other words "go away".

Kind of makes you wonder how much of that $236 million annual budget is absolutely necessary.

I called the police wanting an update and they told me I have to wait for them to call me first...

Sorry to hear about your situation. That totally sucks.

"Don't call us, we'll call you". Did they add "Don't hold your breath"?

Reminds me of how at Hilo PD when seeking permission from the almighty to acquire a handgun they give you a little (1 1/2" by 4") slip of paper that tells you to call them in 14 days. What they don't say is "We will likely know whether or not you have been approved within 24 hours, but since you can't get your gun until the 14th day, don't call us until then, and if there's a problem you can start working on clearing it up at that time."

I think I told this story on some thread here before, but when my house was first burglarized (mostly power construction tools) I went to the Keaau substation to file the report (they couldn't be bothered to drive their government-subsidized privately-owned muscle cars down the unpaved potholed roads of our subdivision) and (naively) asked, "What do you think the chances are I'll recover any of the stolen items?", I swear I heard one guy in back guffaw and two people at desks looked up to see who the idiot was at the counter asking such a stupid question, kinda like "What a stupid fucking haole!". The following burglaries (I'd enhance security and they bring bigger tools...) I didn't even bother to call the cops. Why bother?

Sorry to hear about your situation. That totally sucks.

"Don't call us, we'll call you". Did they add "Don't hold your breath"?

Reminds me of how at Hilo PD when seeking permission from the almighty to acquire a handgun they give you a little (1 1/2" by 4") slip of paper that tells you to call them in 14 days. What they don't say is "We will likely know whether or not you have been approved within 24 hours, but since you can't get your gun until the 14th day, don't call us until then, and if there's a problem you can start working on clearing it up at that time."

I think I told this story on some thread here before, but when my house was first burglarized (mostly power construction tools) I went to the Keaau substation to file the report (they couldn't be bothered to drive their government-subsidized privately-owned muscle cars down the unpaved potholed roads of our subdivision) and (naively) asked, "What do you think the chances are I'll recover any of the stolen items?", I swear I heard one guy in back guffaw and two people at desks looked up to see who the idiot was at the counter asking such a stupid question, kinda like "What a stupid fucking haole!". The following burglaries (I'd enhance security and they bring bigger tools...) I didn't even bother to call the cops. Why bother?

From now on, if I have to report a theft, the first item I list will be my mailbox.  That seems to get more attention than cash, credit cards and jewelry.   

When my friend in Fern Acres got burglarized and had about $700 in cash and some Makita cordless tools stolen, he did not even bother to call the police.  He told me “What for? They are not going to look for it and get irritated that they have to fill out a report.”