Two Men Charged in Mountain View Burglary

Hawai’i Island Police have arrested and charged two men following a brief standoff Tuesday afternoon, June 22, on Uhini Ana Road in Mountain View.

On Thursday afternoon, June 24, 2021, after conferring with County Prosecutors, police charged 33-year-old Wesley Kaimana Brooks, of Puna, with first-degree burglary and 30-year-old Peter J. Vana-Staudinger, of Hilo, with first-degree burglary as well as first-degree Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle (UEMV).

Brooks’ bail was set at $25,000, and Vana Staudinger’s bail was set at $15,000.

On Tuesday afternoon, shortly after 2:30 p.m., Puna Patrol officers responded to a reported active burglary at a residence on Uhini Ana Road, after the property caretaker reported that he heard someone on the property and went to investigate.

As he approached the property, the caretaker told police observed a vehicle that did not belong there and heard voices. Shortly afterwards, he heard gunshots coming from the area of the residence.

The Police Department’s Special Response Team (SRT) and members of the Area I Criminal Investigation Division responded and established a perimeter. Negotiators were unable to make contact with anyone at the residence, according to an HPD report. The Special Response Team later breeched the residence and determined that it was vacant.

A short time later, police located Brooks and Vana-Staudinger walking on the roadway above the property. They were arrested without incident.

Brooks and Vana-Staudinger had their initial court appearance Friday, June 25, in Hilo District Court. All those arrested and charged with alleged crimes by the HPD are presumed innocent until proven guilty.