HILO — A 45-year-old Pahoa man accused of the Jan. 16 burglary of Puna Councilwoman Eileen O’Hara’s Pahoa office is subject to extended sentencing for being a “persistent offender” if convicted.
Patrick Iwanu Hanato is charged with second-degree burglary and second-degree theft. His bail was set at $20,000.
Hanato has five prior felony convictions, including two first-degree burglary convictions in 1997 and 2009, and convictions for third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia in 1998, and another third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug conviction in 2001, according to the criminal complaint against him.
During Hanato’s initial court appearance Wednesday, Hilo District Judge Harry Freitas granted a defense request for an examination of Hanato by three mental health professionals. A hearing on those reports is set for 1:30 p.m. March 14.
The freshman councilwoman interrupted the burglary at the office, which was closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in response to a report that a laptop was stolen, and found two men, one of whom was using the toilet with the door open.
O’Hara said the men claimed to be county workers when approached by a Pahoa resident, and even accepted paperwork as if they were staff.
According to court documents filed by police, O’Hara identified Hanato from a photographic lineup as one of the alleged burglars, as did a Pahoa store owner who reported Hanato attempted to sell a laptop at her family’s shop.
O’Hara told police both men fled when confronted, leaving three portable air-conditioning units and a laser-jet printer outside the building. Documents state the appraised used value of the stolen items is $850.
The councilwoman told the Tribune-Herald last month there were no signs of forced entry and she felt “violated” by the ordeal.
Hanato was arrested Tuesday at Hawaii Community Correctional Center, where he was being held on unrelated charges of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and drug paraphernalia. He’s also awaiting a mental exam on those charges.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.