Big Island man faces charges after allegedly stealing vehicle, evading police and ramming into hotel gate

A Big Island man was arrested and faces several charges in connection with an incident Aug. 9 in West Hawai‘i that involved the alleged theft of a vehicle, evading police and damaging hotel property.

Orion Kiesch of Ocean View was arrested and was charged with:

• Unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.
• Second-degree theft.
• Two counts of unauthorized possession of confidential information.
• Third-degree criminal property damage.
• Resisting an order to stop.
• Reckless driving.
• No-fault insurance.

His bail was set at $9,275. The 46-year-old remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance Aug. 11 in Kona District Court.

Shortly after 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Kona patrol officers responded to a report of a vehicle that was just stolen from a residence in Captain Cook. While en route to the scene, officers observed the vehicle being driven by Kiesch in the Keauhou area.

The officers attempted to stop the vehicle; however, Kiesch refused to pull over and began accelerating.

Kiesch and the stolen vehicle were later found at a hotel property in the Keauhou area. While at the property, officers determined Kiesch had intentionally rammed the wooden gate to the parking lot of the hotel. He was subsequently arrested.

While being taken into custody, Kiesch was found to be in possession of more than $10,000. Police determined the money was stolen from the victim’s vehicle.

Anyone who might have witnessed this incident is asked to contact Officer Kyung Yu with the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Kona Patrol at 808-326-4646, ext. 253, or via email at [email protected].