Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 33 year-old Lawrence Kekoa Botelho of Puna was charged in relation to a string of offenses that occurred between October 20th -22.

Botelho, who has a prior felony conviction for Robbery in the Second Degree, was charged with 6 offenses including Robbery in the First Degree (theft of a Mazda Tribute with the use of a knife, firearm, and/or simulated firearm), Kidnapping, Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree (with the use of a knife, firearm, and/or simulated firearm), Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (any amount of methamphetamine), and Prohibited Acts Related to Drug Paraphernalia. The most serious offenses, Robbery in the First Degree and Kidnapping, are both class A felony offenses which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.  He faces a mandatory prison term if convicted as charged of any of the felony offenses, with the exception of the drug offense.

At the time of his arrest, Botelho was also arrested for an outstanding warrant related to a motion for revocation of his felony probation.  The investigation was handled by Officer Lawrence Kobayashi, South Hilo Patrol, and Officer Steven Grace, Area I Special Enforcement Unit, Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i 2 Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney R. Winston Albright. The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Police Department