Hilo man charged with assault, burglary during Hurricane Lala emergency period

A 58-year-old Hilo man was arrested and charged following two separate incidents — the most recent on Aug. 17 during the Hurricane Lala emergency period — at a Pākele Street residence in Hilo, where he is reported to have dragged a minor girl down the stairs and struggled with another resident.

Hawai‘i County prosecutor’s office reports Andrew Luna is charged with:

• Burglary of a dwelling during an emergency period.
• First-degree burglary.
• Third-degree assault.
• 3 counts of second-degree unauthorized entry in a dwelling.
• 2 counts of simple trespass.

Luna made his initial court appearance the afternoon of Aug. 19 in Hilo District Court, during which his bail was maintained at $213,000 and he was ordered to appear Aug. 24 for a preliminary hearing.

Burglary of a dwelling during an emergency period, a Class A felony, is the most serious offense Luna faces, carrying a penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted. carries a penalty of a twenty-year prison term. First-degree burglary is a Class B felony offense punishable by either 10 years in prison or 4 years probation and up to 18 months in jail if convicted.

Hawai‘i Police Department says Luna reportedly entered a neighbor’s home on Pākele Street without permission twice within the past week.

He is reported to have entered the home most recently Monday, grabbed a 10-year-old girl by the hair and dragged her down the stairs and engaged in a physical struggle with another resident before being chased off the property.

Luna also is reported to have entered the ‘ohana unit at the same home Aug. 13 without permission.

Police apprehended him a short time after the Monday incident.

The arrest and felony investigation were handled by Hawai‘i Police Department South Hilo Patrol Officer Shane Emerson. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Wersal.

“As a reminder, enhanced criminal penalties apply to certain crimes committed during a state of emergency declared by the mayor or governor, including burglary, theft, criminal property damage, robbery and assault against an emergency worker,” said Hawai‘i County Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen in a release. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by Hurricane Lala. We are committed to working together with our partners at the County of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Police Department and Civil Defense to keep our residents and community safe.”