Pair accused of stealing car, dog
Two people have been arrested and charged in connection with the theft Saturday of a 2021 Honda CR-V sport-utility vehicle and a purebred Weimaraner dog from the parking lot of Prince Kuhio Plaza.
Kuuhauoliakaleinani Giminiz-Brzezowski, 20, and Alisha Whitney, 31, both of Hilo made their initial appearances Tuesday in Hilo District Court.
Giminiz-Brzezowski is charged with first-degree theft and two counts of second-degree theft.
Deputy Public Defender Megan Fellows requested Giminiz-Brzezowski be freed on court-supervised release without cash bail, and Deputy Prosecutor Kevin Soong objected to her motion.
Judge Jeffrey Hawk confirmed Giminiz-Brzezowski’s bail at $9,000 and ordered him to return today for a preliminary hearing.
Whitney pleaded not guilty to being an accomplice to first- and second-degree theft, plus unauthorized possession of confidential personal information.
Hawk confirmed her bail at $45,000 and also ordered her to return today for a preliminary hearing.
According to court documents, the victim, a woman, told police she had parked by TJ Maxx at about 4:30 p.m., leaving the vehicle unlocked with the keys in the ignition and the motor running because the dog was inside.
When she returned to the vehicle at about 5 p.m., it was missing.
Police spotted the CR-V on Banyan Drive at about 6:40 p.m. and made a traffic stop on Lihiwai Street by Liliuokalani Gardens and arrested Giminiz-Brzezowski and Whitney, documents state.
Inside the car was the dog, which according to county Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen was a service dog.
Court documents, however, described the animal only as a purebred Weimaraner “wearing a pink multicolor handkerchief.” Also in the vehicle was a juicer, numerous gardening items, shoes, dog food and a purse with the vehicle title and personal checks belonging to the woman and another individual.
First-degree theft is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment upon conviction, while second-degree theft and unauthorized possession are Class C felonies that carry a maximum five-year prison term upon conviction.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
