52 year-old John McCrary of Puna was arrested and charged with robbery, felony theft, and methamphetamine possession offenses stemming from a December 6 bank robbery

McCrary is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Hilo District Court today. He remains in custody in lieu of $103,150.00 bail.

As the Complaint alleges, McCrary was charged with Robbery in the First Degree (in the
course of committing theft, threatened the imminent use of force against another person during
the time of a civil defense emergency proclaimed by the governor and/or mayor), Theft in the
First Degree (obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over the property of another, the value
of which exceeded $300, with intent to deprive the owner of their property during the time of a
civil defense emergency proclaimed by the governor and/or mayor), Terroristic Threatening in
the Second Degree, Place to Keep Ammunition, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second
Degree (possessing over one-eighth ounce of methamphetamine), and Promoting a Detrimental
Drug in the Third Degree. The most serious offense, Robbery in the First Degree, is a class A
felony which is punishable by a twenty year prison term.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case was initiated by South Hilo Patrol and the felony investigation was handled by Detective
Paul Mangus and members of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Malate.

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney