Kona Woman Faces Charges in Connection to Auto Thefts

A Kailua-Kona woman is facing charges in connection to two vehicle thefts, one in Waikoloa and the other in Hilo.

On Wenesday, May 5, 28-year-old Brenda Lee Jose was taken into custody in South Kona after authorities responded to a report of a stolen vehicle seen in the area of Nāpō‘opo‘o Road.

Hawai‘i Police Department’s Kona patrol officers, along with officers of Area II Special Enforcement Unit and detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section went out to the scene at approximately 1 p.m. As they canvassed the area, the stolen vehicle was found unoccupied on Haku Nui Road.

The vehicle, a 2020 Ford sport utility vehicle, had been stolen from a residence on Auhili Loop in Waikoloa on May 2.

Officers conducting checks of the surrounding area located Jose hiding on a nearby property. She was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant and suspicion of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle while detectives continued their investigation.

Through the course of their investigation, detectives also discovered Jose was reportedly involved in a vehicle theft in Hilo on Feb. 15. According to police, the Kona woman entered a residence on Nohoana Street and threatened an occupant within the home before removing a vehicle from the property. The vehicle was recovered on March 2, in the Hilo area.

Jose was charged with two counts of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, one count each of second-degree robbery and violating the terms and conditions of probation. Her bail was set at $47,000.

Jose is scheduled to make her initial court appearance on Monday, May 10, in Kona District Court.