Puna hitchhiker charged in alleged armed carjacking

A 40-year-old Pāhoa man faces several charges in connection with an alleged armed carjacking last month on the Big Island.

Kevin Torres made his initial court appearance Thursday in Hilo District Court. He is charged with:

• First-degree robbery.
• First-degree theft.
• First-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.
• Driving without a license.

His bail was maintained at $171,000 and he was ordered to appear May 20 for a preliminary hearing.

According to police reports, Torres was hitchhiking along Highway 130 on April 19 in Puna and was picked up by the owner of Nissan Versa. He is alleged to have threatened the driver and brandished what appeared to be a black pistol before taking control of the car and driving away.

Torres was arrested May 14 after he was seen driving the Nissan Versa on Kalapana-Kapoho Beach Road.

First-degree robbery is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. First-degree theft is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison or up to 4 years probation and 18 months in jail.