Bail maintained for Puna man accused of stealing rental car and habitual property crimes

A Hilo District Court judge maintained bail on a Puna man accused of stealing a rental car and various other offenses.

Twenty-eight-year-old Cyrus Kapeli-Spencer appeared in court Thursday on charges stem a series of crimes that occurred between Nov. 17 and Nov. 28. Along with the theft of a Ford Edge rental car, Kapeli-Spencer is accuse of unauthorized entry into a Volvo, habitual property crime and traffic offenses.

Defense counsel’s motion for supervised release was denied and Kapeli-Spencer’s bail was maintained at $76,000. The 28-year-old is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 5 for a preliminary hearing.

As the Complaint alleges, Kapeli-Spencer, a felony repeat offender, was charged with first-degree theft, first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, second-degree theft, first-degree resisting order to stop, driving without a license and habitual property crime.

The most serious offense — first-degree theft — is a class B felony offense which is punishable by a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. If convicted as charged, Kapeli-Spencer faces sentencing to a mandatory prison term and will not be eligible for probation.