Couple charged with theft, drug offenses after reportedly found in South Kona with stolen rental car

A man and woman are facing multiple offenses after they were found in a stolen rental car in South Kona.

Hawai‘i Island police initially came into contact with Jeremy Pilgrim, 44, and Samantha Baylor, 39, on Sunday shortly after 4:30 p.m. Kona patrol officers responded to the parking lot of the Ace Hardware store located in Captain Cook for a possible drug overdose in a red colored Ford Mustang.

Upon arrival, officers discovered that the Ford Mustang had been previously reported stolen from a rental car company in Kailua-Kona on Nov. 21. Pilgrim and Baylor were seen in the stolen vehicle by witnesses and ultimately placed under arrest.

While the couple was being taken into custody, officers found a methamphetamine smoking pipe in Baylor’s possession.

The Ford Mustang was recovered and detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section executed a search warrant which resulted in the recovery of 46.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 77.1 grams of marijuana.

Pilgrim was charged with first-degree theft and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle. His bail was set at $7,000.

Baylor was charged with first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, and first-degree promotional of a detrimental drug. Her bail was set at $60,000.

Both parties had their initial court appearances in Kona District Court on Tuesday morning. Pilgrim’s bail was maintained and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Thursday.

Baylor’s bail was also maintained and she is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Detective Len Hamakado via email at Len.Hamakado@hawaiicounty.gov or at 808-326-4646, ext.224.