43-year-old Kole Race-Joaquin of Honoka‘a, was arrested and charged in relation to the theft of a Jeep Gladiator, originally reported stolen while parked fronting a Hilo residence on December 18, 2025.

On March 12, Puna Patrol officers arrested Race-Joaquin and recovered the Jeep Gladiator.

Race-Joaquin recently made his initial Hilo District Court appearance where the Court maintained his bail at $70,000 and he was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing today.

As the Complaint alleges, Race-Joaquin is charged with Theft in the First Degree (theft of a motor vehicle, a Jeep Gladiator) and Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree.

The more serious charge, Theft in the First Degree, is a class B felony offense which carries a maximum penalty of a ten-year prison term. If convicted as charged, Race-Joaquin, faces sentencing to a mandatory prison term and will not be eligible for probation.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Patrick Muñoz and Elyssa Correia Keltner.

 

HPD Photo