KAILUA-KONA — The Hawaii Police Department has arrested two people in connection with a rash of auto thefts spanning several communities across Hawaii Island.
Christian Olivera, 19, and Jasmine Saragosa-Taoy, 24, were apprehended by police Tuesday in Puna at an address in Hawaiian Paradise Park. According to a release, the arrests occurred “without incident.”
In the release, police listed Olivera as “responsible” for 18 criminal offenses, including pointing a rifle at a man. Saragosa-Taoy was said to be on the hook for eight offenses.
The dates noted in the release paint the picture of a crime spree that began in late May and stretched into mid July, including felony offenses taking place in the districts of Puna, Hilo, Hamakua, South Kohala and Kona.
Police hit Olivera Wednesday with 13 counts of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, three counts of resisting an order to stop, two counts of terroristic threatening, one count of criminal property damage and one count of robbery. He is being held on $600,000 bail.
Saragosa-Taoy was charged with hindering prosecution, two counts of credit card theft and two counts of unauthorized possession of confidential personal information. She was charged as Olivera’s accomplice in three counts of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, one count of terroristic threatening and criminal property damage. She is being held on $115,000 bail.
Police request anyone with knowledge of any of these crimes or any of the stolen vehicles contact the department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3111 or call Sergeant James Correa, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at 808-961-2272. Correa can also be reached by email at James.Correa@hawaiicounty.gov.
Informants who want anonymity can call islandwide Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.