35-year-old Kaela Escalante of Hilo was arrested and charged in connection with two burglary incidents at Sangha Hall on August 6, and a theft and unauthorized vehicle entry at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on October 17.

On Monday, Escalante made her initial appearance in Hilo District Court where her bail was maintained at $175,500.00.

As the Complaint alleges, Escalante is charged with two counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, two counts of Theft in the Second Degree, four counts of Habitual Property Crime, two counts of Theft in the Fourth Degree, and a single count each of Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, Theft of a Credit Card, Unauthorized Possession of Confidential Personal Information, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, and Forgery in the Second Degree. Burglary in the Second Degree, Theft in the Second Degree, Habitual Property Crime, Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, Theft of a Credit Card, Unauthorized Possession of Confidential Personal Information, and Forgery in the Second Degree are all class C felony offenses and carry a penalty of either a five-year prison term or four years probation and up to twelve months in jail. The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Soong.

HPD Photo