21 year-old Kauka Santiago and 24 year-old Kawai Kahee, both of Pahoa, were arrested and charged in relation to the theft of a Nissan Versa originally reported stolen from a Pahoa 7-Eleven on May 7.

Last week, Santiago and Kahee made their initial Hilo District Court appearances where Santiago’s bail was maintained at $55,000.00 and Kahee’s bail was maintained at $45,000.00, Both were ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing today.

Santiago is charged with Theft in the First Degree (theft of a motor vehicle, a Nissan Versa), Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, Habitual Property Crime, and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of methamphetamine).

Kahee is charged with Theft in the First Degree (theft of a motor vehicle, a Nissan Versa), Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of methamphetamine).

The most serious offense, Theft in the First Degree, is a class B felony offense which carries a penalty of either a ten-year prison term or four years probation and up to eighteen months in jail.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Malate.

 

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney