Hilo man spotted taking hunting, fishing gear and internet device from Kea‘au home

A 47-year-old Hilo man faces burglary and theft charges after he was seen making off with hunting and fishing gear along with an internet device from a Puna home.

Hawai‘i County prosecutor’s office reports Albert Espaniola Jr. is CHARGED WITH:

• First-degree burglary.
• Second-degree theft.

Espaniola made his initial court appearance Oct. 9 in Hilo District Court. His bail was maintained at $120,000 and he was ordered to appear Oct. 13 for a preliminary hearing.

Burglary in the First-degree burglary is a Class B felony punishable by either 10 years in prison or 4 years probation and up to 18 months in jail if convicted.

Second-degree theft is a Class C felony that carries either a 5-year prison sentence or 4 years probation and up to a year in jail.

The charges stem from an Oct. 8 burglary incident at a home on Old Volcano Road in Kea‘au.

Hawai‘i Island police report Espaniola was arrested by Puna Patrol officers who were responding to an active burglary. He was seen leaving the back door of the Kea‘au residence carrying a compound bow with attached fishing reel and an internet router.

The case was initiated by Hawai‘i Police Department Puna Patrol Officer Ashton Gomes, with the felony investigation led by Detective Joseph Picadura with the department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section.

It is being prosecuted by Deputy Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Soong.