Couple charged in theft of Ford van from Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa

Thirty-year-old Kyle Pu‘u-Gustafson of Kurtistown and 27-year-old Candiace Balles of Pāhoa were arrested and charged in relation to the theft and unauthorized entry into a Ford van which was originally reported stolen on Nov. 6 from the parking lot of the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa.

Pu‘u-Gustafson, who was in custody in lieu of $35,000 bail, and Balles, who was in custody in lieu of $3,000 bail, each made their initial appearances on Monday afternoon in Hilo District Court.

Both Pu‘u-Gustafson and Balles were granted supervised release by Hilo District Court Judge Jeffrey Hawk over prosecutors’ objections and ordered to appear for preliminary hearings on Dec. 4.

Pu‘u-Gustafson was charged with Theft in the First Degree and Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree. Theft in the First Degree is a class B felony offense punishable by either a ten-year prison term or four years probation and up to twelve months in jail.

Balles was charged with Unauthorized Entry Into Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (knowingly possess any dangerous drug, methamphetamine, in any amount), and Promoting a Detrimental Drug in the Third Degree.

Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree is a class C felony offense punishable by either a five-year prison term or four years probation and up to twelve months in jail. Unauthorized Entry Into Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree is a misdemeanor and punishable by a maximum penalty of a one-year jail term.