Man Charged in Connection to Theft Incidents in Downtown Hilo

A Hilo man is facing an array of property crime offenses in connection to two separate incidents, occurring about a month apart, in the downtown Hilo area.

According to Hawaiʻi Police Department, the first incident occurred on Feb. 8 when the suspect, later identified as 32-year-old George Akana Cruz Labrador, was seen on video surveillance entering into a business on Kinoʻole Street and removing various electronic items and other miscellaneous items valued at more than $5,200. The second incident occurred on Wednesday, March 2, in which Labrador was observed entering a vehicle on Kilauea Avenue, and removing items and more than $7,000 in U.S. currency.

On Tuesday afternoon, March 8, after conferring with the County Prosecutors Office, police charged Labrador with second-degree burglary, first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, three counts of second-degree theft, and unauthorized possession of personal confidential information. His total bail was set at $60,000.

Additionally, Labrador was arrested and charged on the strength of a no-bail probation violation warrant issued by the Hilo Circuit Court.

In addition to these charges, police detectives have forwarded a separate second-degree burglary case to County Prosecutors Office for review. In that case, Labrador has been positively identified as a suspect in the burglary of a restaurant on Pauahi Street in Hilo.

Labrador, who has no permanent address and is known to live in the downtown Hilo area, remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance scheduled today in Hilo District Court.