Hilo man arrested and charged with 21 offenses in mail theft investigation

Hawaiʻi Island police detectives have arrested and charged Keoni Brian Paulino, 31, of Hilo with multiple theft and financial crimes, along with a drug offense, stemming from an incident involving mail theft.

On Wednesday, June 11, after consultation with Hawaiʻi County prosecutors, Paulino was charged with:

• Three counts of theft of mail
• Four counts of unauthorized possession of confidential and personal information
• Three counts of theft of a credit card
• Three counts of fraudulent use of a credit card
• Three counts of third-degree identity theft
• Three counts of fourth-degree theft
• Third-degree promoting a dangerous drug
• Habitual property crime

Paulino was also charged with an outstanding failure to appear bench warrant, and his total bail was set at $264,000. He made his initial court appearance on Thursday afternoon in Hilo District Court. Judge Kanani Laubach maintained his bail and ordered Paulino to return for his preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 16.

The charges against Paulino originate from an incident reported at 2:07 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, when South Hilo patrol officers responded to mail theft reports from mailboxes on Kupulau Road in the Waiākea Uka area of Hilo and a dark-colored SUV seen leaving the area.

Responding officers observed a dark blue Mercedes SUV matching the suspect vehicle description heading north on Komohana Street from Kupulau Road. The vehicle turned down Puainako Street to West Kawili Street, where police initiated a traffic stop. Paulino was identified as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle.

Officers also observed numerous items of mail partially stuffed under the front passenger seat. Paulino was placed under arrest, and the vehicle was recovered as evidence, with the investigation continued by detectives of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section.

Upon execution of a search warrant on the vehicle, detectives recovered numerous items of mail belonging to residents of the upper Waiākea Uka area, along with stolen credit cards and receipts of credit card transactions made with the stolen cards. A glass smoking pipe with residue was also located near the driver’s seat area, which tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine.

The Area I Criminal Investigation Section is continuing this investigation. Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact Detective Joseph Picadura at 808-961-2375, or by email at Joseph.Picadura@hawaiicounty.gov.