32 year-old Gilbert Mata of Hilo was arrested and charged in relation to the theft of a 2023 Jeep, originally that was reported stolen from Budget Rental Car in Kona last month.

According to police, Mata was arrested on May 20 for allegedly operating the Jeep within the the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center parking lot where he was seen driving over a parking curb and through heavy vegetation causing the Jeep to flip onto its passenger side.

On Wednesday, Mata made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court bail where his was maintained at $131,000.00 and he was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing today.

As the Complaint alleges, Mata is charged with Theft in the First Degree (theft of a motor vehicle, a Jeep Wrangler), Unauthorized Control of Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, Habitual Property Crime, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of methamphetamine), Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of heroin), and Promoting a Detrimental Drug in the Third Degree. The most serious offense, Theft in the First Degree, is a class B felony offense which carries a penalty of a ten-year prison term or four years probation and up to eighteen months in jail.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ha‘aheo Kaho‘ohalahala.

 

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney