Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 32 year-old Pohakea Lipe of Ka’u was arrested and charged for felony unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, in regards to a moped that was originally reported stolen from a Kona condominium parking lot on February 28, 2022.

Lipe was also arrested on 3 other outstanding warrants as a review of court minutes indicated that he was already pending another unrelated felony matter in Kona Circuit Court.

As the Complaint alleges, Lipe was charged with Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree which is a class C felony offense that carries a maximum penalty 5 years in prison.

The investigation was handled by Officer Manuel Soares, IV, Kona Patrol, and Detective Donovan Kohara, Area II Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Annaliese Wolf.

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

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office