Spree suspect indicted; Hams faces 43 charges

KAILUA-KONA — A 43-count indictment was handed down by a Kona grand jury against a man accused of an islandwide crime spree last month.

Joshua Hams of Kona faces charges in connection with an Aug. 21 crime spree that began in Hilo and ended an Holualoa.

Hams was first reported as a “mentally unstable” man brandishing a shotgun in Hilo. He next went to Ka‘u where he allegedly stole a state Highways Division vehicle, continued towards Kona, collided with a vehicle, and later robbed a Captain Cook gas station at gunpoint.

Around noon that same day, Hams allegedly fired shots in Kalaoa and then proceeded to the Kona Commons area where he reportedly shot out a door at the AT&T Store on Makala Boulevard and also stole merchandise. Upon fleeing, Hams reportedly hit multiple vehicles on Kuakini Highway, stole another vehicle at the Lako Street Shell gas station and eventually abandoned that vehicle and barricaded himself at a private residence in Holualoa before surrendering to police.

He was indicted on charges of six counts of ownership or possession prohibited, three counts of first-degree robbery, first-degree criminal property damage, seven counts of second-degree criminal property damage, two counts of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, four counts of first-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree terroristic threatening, first-degree reckless endangering, second-degree reckless endangering, second degree unauthorized entry in a dwelling, second-degree theft, third-degree theft, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information, six counts of carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, first-degree resisting an order to stop, reckless driving, accident involving damage to a vehicle or property, two counts of carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on a public highway and two counts of third-degree promoting a dangerous drug.

All but three charges are subject to extended terms of imprisonment because of Hams prior felony convictions.

He remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center on $1 million bail.