(BIVN) – Police on Hawaiʻi Island have arrested a suspect in connection with the Kona parking scam involving the fraudulent use of “barnacle” devices—adhesive windshield blocks placed on vehicles as a supposed enforcement tool.
Emmy Cedeno Perez, 29, of Kailua-Kona, was arrested on Tuesday, May 27. She later posted bail and is scheduled to appear in court on June 26, 2025.
According to the Hawaiʻi Police Department, Perez faces multiple charges stemming from the incident, including:
Fraud
Third-degree theft
Second-degree criminal tampering
Failure to appear
Contempt of court
Driving without a valid license
The arrest follows growing concern over unauthorized use of parking enforcement devices, which have caused confusion among vehicle owners in the Kona area.
Authorities continue to investigate whether additional individuals or incidents may be tied to the scam.
