Kea‘au man faces charges in several 4th of July Weekend incidents that started in West Hawai‘i, ended in East Hawai‘i

A 20-year-old Kea‘au man faces a slew of charges following several incidents during the long 4th of July weekend that started with an alleged car theft at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport and ended with a 2-vehicle crash in Hilo.

Hawai‘i Police Department reports that Lasty Jessy was charged July 7 with:

• First-degree robbery.
• Unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.
• First-degree theft.
• Resisting an order to stop.
• Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.
• Driving without a valid driver’s license.
• Reckless driving.
• Inattention to driving.

His total bail was set at $194,000. Jessy made his initial court appearance the afternoon of July 8 in Hilo District Court. Online court records show his bail was maintained and he continues to be detained.

He was ordered to appear at 2 p.m. July 10 in Hilo District Court for a preliminary hearing.

The worst charges Jessy faces are first-degree robbery, Unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and first-degree theft, all of which are Class B felonies.

Charges stem from a slew of incidents that started late the evening of 4th of July in West Hawaiʻi and ended during the morning fewer than 2 days later in East Hawaiʻi.

A 57-year-old woman reported she was dropping off a friend at about 8:20 p.m. on 4th of July at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, parking her gray Subaru sedan along the curb in front of the passenger check-in area. She left the engine running to get out and unload luggage, keeping the driver’s door open.

The woman then saw a man — later identified as Jessy — get into the driver’s seat and start to drive away while she was saying goodbye to her friend.

She ran to the open driver’s door and grabbed the steering wheel, trying to stop Jessy, and was dragged a few feet before being forced to let go as she said Jessy drove away in her car.

Kona patrol officers responded to the scene, and an islandwide all-points bulletin was issued for the stolen Subaru.

The 57-year-old woman was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries to her head and body. She was later released.

A South Hilo patrol officer spotted the stolen car fewer than 2 days later, just before 1:30 a.m. July 6 on East Kāwili Street in Hilo.

The car sped onto Makaʻala Street when the officer tried to stop it and then southbound on Kanoelehua Avenue, the driver continuing to flee in a reckless manner. Police terminated the pursuit out of a concern for public safety.

South Hilo patrol officers responded to a major traffic collision about 5 hours later just after 6:30 a.m. at the intersection of Kanoelehua Avenue and West Kawailani Street.

A Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officer saw the stolen Subaru run a red light and collide with a Toyota SUV. Jessy fled the crash scene on foot, but was detained by the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officer until police arrived and arrested him.

He was transported to the East Hawai‘i Detention Facility in Hilo.

Both vehicles were severely damaged, but neither driver was seriously injured. The southbound lanes of Kanoelehua Avenue were closed several hours for investigation.

Detectives from Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section recovered the stolen vehicle as evidence. Jessy was also identified through their investigation as the driver who fled from officers earlier that morning.

The Area I Criminal Investigation Section is continuing the investigation.

Anyone who might have witnessed any of these incidents — including the alleged 4th of July car theft at the Kona airport and weekend police chase and 2-vehicle crash in Hilo — is asked to contact Detective Robert Kamau Jr. at 808-961-2384 or via email at robert.kamau@hawaiicounty.gov.

Police remind the members of the public to remain vigilant and always secure their vehicles. Never leave your car unlocked or running, even for a short time and if you are nearby.