Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged two Hilo men with various offenses following the Sunday break-in of a downtown Hilo business owner’s vehicle.
On Sunday morning, Hilo patrol officers responded to the 300 block of Keawe Street for a report of a vehicle break-in.
The 40-year-old victim reported that she was unloading items from her vehicle and taking them into her business when she noticed her backpack was taken from her vehicle. The backpack contained the victim’s laptop computer, money, and various other personal and confidential effects. The victim was able to provide a description to police of two men she observed in the area. Officers viewing neighboring business surveillance cameras were able to identify Kaholo and Labrador. One was in possession of the victim’s backpack, police said. Both men were arrested nearby a short time later.
On Monday afternoon, after conferring with the prosecutors, detectives charged 31-year-old Stetson Kaholo with: unauthorized entry to a motor vehicle; second-degree theft; third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug; and possession of drug paraphernalia. The second man, 33-year-old George Akana Cruz Labrador was charged with: unauthorized entry to a motor vehicle; second-degree theft; and habitual property crime. Bail for each man was set at $30,000.
On Tuesday, Hilo District Judge Bruce Larson confirmed both men’s bail at $30,000 and ordered both to return Thursday for a preliminary hearing.