2 men charged with breaking into a vehicle in downtown Hilo

Two men from Hilo have been charge with breaking into an unlocked vehicle belonging to a woman who was carrying items into her business in downtown Hilo, according to Hawai’i Island police.  

Stetson Kaholo, 31, and George Akana Cruz Labrador, 33, allegedly took a backpack out of the vehicle that contained the victim’s laptop computer, U.S. currency and various other personal and confidential items.

Kaholo was charged with:

• Unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle
• Second-degree theft
• Third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
• Prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia

Labrador was charged with:

• Unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle
• Second-degree theft
• Habitual property crime

Bail for each man was set at $30,000.

The charges against Kaholo and Labrador stem from the incident reported the morning of May 21 at the 300 block of Keawe Street in downtown Hilo.

The business owner was unloading items from her vehicle and taking them into her business when she noticed her backpack was missing.

She provided a description to police of two males she saw in the area. Officers immediately canvassed the area and after viewing neighboring business surveillance cameras were able to identify Kaholo and Labrador. One of them was in possession of the victim’s backpack.  

Both men were arrested a short time later not far from the vehicle break-in. Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives later served a search warrant on the backpack.

Residents should always lock their vehicles, even if only away for a brief moment. Park in well-lit areas, and be aware of suspicious persons in the area, police said.