Mountain View man facing charges after alleged attempt to steal a water catchment tank

A Mountain View man is facing various charges after allegedly attempting to steal a water catchment tank earlier this month.

The incident occurred on April 6 on Io Kea Road in Mountain View. According to a press release from the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, 57-year-old Frank Eblacas attempted to steal the tank while reportedly in possession of a .22 caliber rifle.

Eblacas, who has eight prior felony confections, was charted with second-degree attempted theft, first-degree criminal trespass, second-degree criminal trespass, place to keep loaded firearms other than pistols and revolvers, ownership or possession of firearm prohibited and ownership or possession of ammunition prohibited.

Eblacas is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Hilo Circuit Court on Friday. He remains in custody in lieu of $87,000 bail.

The two most serious offenses, Place to Keep Loaded Firearms Other Than Pistols and Revolvers and Ownership or Possession Prohibited, are both B felony offenses which are punishable by either a 10-year prison term or four years probation and up to 18 months in jail.