Bail maintained for Hilo man facing charges in connection to string of business burglaries

A Hilo man is facing various charges in connection to a series of burglaries at Hilo businesses that occurred between January and February.

Samson Mahu was charged in burglaries at Leung’s Chop Suey House on Jan. 24; Kenworth Hawai‘i which occurred between Feb. 1 and 2; Daiichi Ramen, which occurred between Feb. 3 and 4 and again between Feb. 6 and 7; and Kitchen & Beyond, which occurred between Feb. 7 and 8.

On Feb. 12, Mahu, 27, was located and arrested by the Area I (East Hawai‘i) Crime Reduction Unit within Hawai‘i Island police.

Mahu was charged via Information in Hilo Circuit Court and is facing 24 charges in relation to the burglary incidents filed under five separate case numbers, according to a press release from Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Court records reveal the 27-year-old’s bail of $448,000 was maintained and he is scheduled to appear on all cases for an arraignment and plea on March 3.

In connection to the burglary at Daiichi Ramen, Mahu is charged with two counts each of second-degree burglary, third-degree theft and haabitual property crime.

For burglary at Kitchen & Beyond, Mahu is charge with first-degree theft after reportedly stealing a Toyota Tacoma, first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, third-degree theft, fourth-degree criminal property damage and habitual property crime.

For burglary at Kenworth Hawai‘i, Mahu is charged with second-degree theft, theft of a credit card, unauthorized possession of confidential or personal information, fourth-degree theft and habitual property crime.

For burglary at Leung’s Chop Suey House, Mahu is charged with third-degree theft, fourth-degree criminal property damage and habitual property crime.

In the fifth information filing to the circuit court, Mahu is charged with third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug for possession of methamphetamine and prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia.

The most serious offense against Mahu is first-degree theft, a class B felony, which carries a penalty of either a 10-year prison term or four years probation and up to 18 months in jail.