Man Charged With Second Car Theft in Two Weeks

Big Island police said a Kona man out on bail after being arrested two weeks ago for driving a stolen car was arrested again Wednesday – in another stolen car.

An off-duty Honoka`a patrol officer in observed a stolen Honda Accord being driven in a reckless manner at 6:30 a.m. on Highway 19.

The officer called for assistance and followed the car that had been reported stolen earlier that morning from a Waimea shopping center.

The vehicle left the highway and stopped on Palikekua Street in Honoka`a before the driver fled on foot.

Police searching the area were told by residents that a person matching the suspect’s description had been seen leaving some bushes. Police then arrested Jesse Travis Ralston, 22, of Kailua-Kona.

Ralston was charged today with auto theft, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, theft and reckless driving. His bail was set at $31,000.

When he was arrested Wednesday Ralston was out on $2,000 bail for an earlier arrest on July 19.