HILO — A Hilo grand jury returned indictments Sept. 19 in separate felony cases.
A 10-count indictment charges a 41-year-old Puna man, Reed Russell Martineau, aka Mathew Wittenberg, with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, unauthorized entry to a motor vehicle, unauthorized control of a stolen vehicle, and two counts each of kidnapping, first degree robbery and first-degree terroristic threatening.
Martineau is accused of carjacking 77-year-old John Renauer of Kalapana Seaview Estates, the landlord of Martineau’s girlfriend, 53-year-old Leesa Callahan, who also was in the car, on Aug. 21.
Martineau allegedly assaulted Renauer and Callahan. Both were taken to Hilo Medical Center, where Renauer was treated for several lacerations to his head and neck while Callahan was treated for a fractured nasal bone, missing a portion of her left ear and multiple lacerations to her face and head.
A conviction for attempted second-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. The prosecutor, however, is seeking extended sentencing, which would be life without the possibility of parole, describing Martineau as a persistent and multiple offender, stating the “extended term of imprisonment is necessary for the protection of the public.
Martineau is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on the same charges Thursday in Hilo District Court. The indictment, however, renders the hearing unnecessary and moves the case to Hilo Circuit Court for arraignment and plea.
Martineau is in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $465,000 bail.
In a separate case, a 27-count indictment was returned against a 24-year-old Hilo man for an alleged crime spree in July and August.
Sanvin Silem is charged with first-degree theft, theft of a credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card, third-degree identity theft, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information, fourth-degree criminal property damage, third-degree theft, two counts each of second-degree theft and second-degree criminal trespassing, three counts each of second-degree burglary and four counts each of first-degree burglary and unauthorized control of a stolen vehicle.
The most serious charges, first-degree burglary and first-degree theft, are Class B felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Police said they linked a series of burglaries of homes and businesses to Silem that were reported in the Waiakea and Kanoelehua Industrial areas of Hilo.
A bench warrant issued with the indictment set Silem’s bail at $157,500.
Silem also had a Thursday date in Hilo District Court, but the indictment moves his case to Hilo Circuit Court.
He remains in custody at HCCC.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
