Hilo Man Charged in Stolen Tractor-Trailer Incident

Soloman Aloha Kepano. HPD photo.

A 30-year-old man has been charged in connection to an incident that involved the theft of a tractor and trailer last week.

Soloman Aloha Kepano of Hilo was charged on Friday with one count of first degree theft, one count of fourth degree theft, one count of third degree criminal property damage, four counts of second degree reckless endangering, five counts of accidents involving damage to vehicle or property, and two counts of accidents involving damage to unattended vehicle or property.

Kepano’s bail was set at $9,100. He remained at the police cellblock pending his initial court appearance on Monday.

Just after 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, South Hilo patrol officers responded to a report of a tractor and trailer that hit two vehicles and a home on Pilipa’a Street in Hilo.

Police say bystanders reported that they saw Kepano walking from the scene and restrained him until police arrived.

HPD also learned that a tractor, trailer, and its contents were stolen from a business on Makaala Street after driving through a closed gate.

Witnesses told police that the stolen tractor and trailer also struck a vehicle and ran another vehicle off the road on Pilipa’a Street before striking and severing a utility pole. Then, the tractor and trailer continued south on Pilipa’a Street when it ran off the street and struck a residence.

The drivers of the vehicles and the occupants of the home were not injured.