East Hawai‘i man charged in connection to stolen pickup truck for hospital parking lot

A man from Honomū is facing felony charges after reportedly stealing a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck from the parking lot of the Hilo Benioff Medical Center.

According to a press release from the Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, the vehicle was stolen on Oct. 17. The truck was found on Oct. 19 at the scene of a traffic collision on 37th Avenue and Pohaku Drive in Puna.

Hawai‘i Island police officers arrested Kris Villasista, 48, near the scene of the crash.

On Monday, Villasista appeared in Hilo District on charges of first-degree theft and first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle. The 48-year-old was out on bail at the time of his arrest after he was taken into custody in March for reportedly stealing a Toyota 4Runner and a Honda all-terrain vehicle in Honoka‘a.

Villasista was also found in possession of more than 1/8 of an ounce of methamphetamine at the time of the March arrest.

According to the press release, the Hilo District Court judge maintained bail at $70,000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

The theft offense is a class B felony and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. If convicted as charged, prosecutors have provided notice that Villasista is subject to a mandatory prison term and will not be eligible for probation.