Two Big Island men face charges following theft from orchard

Two Papa‘ikou men are facing agriculture theft charges after allegedly hundreds of pounds of rambutan and bananas from the Hawai‘i Sunshine Orchards.

The thefts occurred earlier this month. According to a press release from Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Jan Loren Aguinaldo, age 35, reportedly stole 30 pounds of rambutan and cut branches from two rambutan trees on March 5.

On March 8, Timothy Guiteras, age 49, allegedly stole more than 190 pounds of bananas.

The two men made their initial appearances in Hilo District Court on Monday afternoon. Aguinaldo’s bail was maintained at $40,000 and Guiteras’ bail was maintained at $5,000. Both men were ordered to appear for their preliminary hearings on March 12.

Aguinaldo is charged with second-degree theft, habitual property crime and fourth-degree criminal property damage.

Guiteras is also charged with second-degree theft.

The second-degree theft and habitual property crime charges are both class C felonies and carry a penalty of either a five-year prison term or four years probation and up to 12 months in jail.