A 22-year-old Volcano man admitted to taking part in the theft of four vehicles from the lot of the Aloha Kia dealership in Kailua-Kona, according to court documents filed by police.
Austin Fernandez made his initial court appearance Thursday on charges of first-degree theft, being an accomplice to first-degree theft, and unauthorized control of a stolen vehicle.
Deputy Public Defender Austin Hsu asked Hilo District Judge Harry Freitas to free Fernandez, who was arrested Thursday and charged Friday, on supervised release or to reduce Fernandez’s bail from the $36,000 for the three felony charges.
Fernandez also was charged with violating his felony probation.
Deputy Prosecutor Glenn Shiigi asked that bail be kept at the same level, telling the judge “the high bail is warranted.”
“He’s currently on probation for theft in the second degree and unauthorized entry into a dwelling (in the) second degree. Both are Class C felonies. He was … re-sentenced on July 2, 2016, to four years of probation and one year in jail,” Shiigi said.
On Jan. 25, a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, a 2014 Nissan coupe, a 2011 Acura sedan and a 2013 Volkswagen sedan were removed from the auto dealership.
Another man, 18-year-old Kahekili Krause of Mountain View, was previously arrested and charged in connection with this incident.
All four vehicles have been recovered, police said
On that same day, Fernandez was allegedly spotted driving the Toyota pickup on Highway 19 in Hamakua and on Mana Road in Waimea. When arrested, he told officers he bought the truck from Krause for $200, according to documents.
Krause and Arnold Fernandez, Austin Fernandez’s 24-year-old brother, were scheduled for preliminary hearings on Monday, but Krause’s case was moved to Hilo Circuit Court on Friday. He’s due for arraignment and plea at 1 p.m. today.
He remains in custody on $30,500 bail.
The hearing for Arnold Fernandez, whom police say was involved in a burglary and an attempted burglary with Krause, was postponed until Feb. 22 in Hilo District Court.
He’s free on $4,000 bail.
Police are still seeking another man they think is involved in the recent rash of auto thefts, 33-year-old Shannon Navor of Pahoa.
He’s described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, about 205 pounds, with brown eyes and short black hair.
Anyone with information on any of these cases is asked to call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.