Three people arrested in connection to store thefts on Saturday
Christopher Emeliano-Wilson, Victor Babas and Tatiana Santana were arrested and charged in connection to a series of thefts that took place in Kona.
Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged three individuals in connection with a series of store thefts reported in the Kona District on Saturday, Sept. 12.
The three individuals were identified as 31-year-old Christopher Emeliano-Wilson of Mountain View, 25-year-old Victor Babas of Keaau, and 25-year-old Tatiana Santana of Mountain View.
At approximately 3:25 p.m., Kona Patrol officers responded to the 75-5500 block of Palani Road for a report of an active theft. Three individuals had reportedly left the establishment with a large amount of merchandise and fled the area in a vehicle.
Officers conducted area checks and subsequently located a vehicle matching the description. All three individuals were arrested after officers determined they were attempting to steal merchandise from another establishment.
Personnel from the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area II Criminal Investigation Section assumed responsibility for the investigation. Through follow-up investigation and the execution of a search warrant of the vehicle, detectives recovered numerous stolen items determined to be connected to three additional store thefts that occurred in Kona that same day.
Following consultation with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney on Sunday, Sept. 13, Emeliano-Wilson was charged with:
- Two counts of second-degree theft
- Two counts of third-degree theft
Emeliano-Wilson’s total bail was set at $12,000.
Babas was charged with:
- Two counts of second-degree theft
- One count of third-degree theft
Babas’ total bail was set at $11,000.
Santana was charged with:
- Two counts of second-degree theft
- One count of third-degree theft
Santana’s total bail was set at $11,000.
Police ask anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact Area II Criminal Investigation Section Detective Bradley Llanes at (808) 326-4646, ext. 3268, or by email at bradley.llanes@hawaiipolice.
