The suspect in an attempted theft of an air ambulance from the Hilo International Airport that was made public by two Big Island natives in a video that has since gone viral has been charged and will make his first court appearance today.
Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Venezuelan man, 24-year-old Gabriel Arjona Molina, was charged for attempted theft of an air ambulance, criminal property damage, and trespassing in an incident that occurred at the Hilo Airport on August 27th.
On Friday, August 27, 2021, around 1:30 p.m., a South Hilo patrol officer was flagged down by a witness who stated that a vehicle crashed through the fence at the Hilo International Airport. The vehicle driver then parked next to a fixed-winged single-engine aircraft, exited the vehicle, and attempted to manually spin the aircraft’s propeller.
The suspect, later identified as Arjona-Molina, then approached a Beechcraft King Air C90A aircraft parked on the ramp. He gained access to the aircraft via the pull-down hatch and entered the cockpit where he was able to start both engines before exiting the plane. Officers arrested him at the scene shortly thereafter and transported him to the Hilo police station.
As the Complaint alleges, Arjona Molina was charged with five (5) offenses including Criminal Property Damage in the First Degree (damaging property during the emergency period), Attempted Theft in the First Degree (theft of property valued at over $300.00 or more during the emergency period and/or theft of property valued at $20,000.00 or more), Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, and Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree. The value of the King Air C90A is approximately $1,500,000.
Update: Today at Molinas Arraignment and Plea an oral motion was made by Deputy Public Defender Jonas J. Krave for Molina release under supervision. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Wersal objected for State. The motion was denied by Judge Jeffrey Hawk. Bail was maintained at $37,000.00. Molina was ordered to appear for Preliminary Hearing on September 1, 2021, in South Hilo Courthouse at 2:00 PM.
Arjona-Molina is a Venezuelan national who has been on Hawai‘i Island for approximately two months.
The lead investigators were Officer Lauren Pacheco, South Hilo Patrol, and Detective John Balberde, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Rothfus.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in East Hawai‘i or (808) 329-8181 in West Hawai‘i.
