Pāhoa, Hawaiʻi – Hawaiʻi Island police have successfully arrested and charged 31-year-old Clyde Takeshi Talosaga Loa Jr., who was one of three men who escaped from the Hale Nani Correctional Facility in December 2024. Loa was the last of the escapees to be apprehended, with the other two having been captured previously.
Loa’s apprehension occurred shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Police received an anonymous tip reporting that Loa was at a property on Hanale Drive, located in the Ainaloa subdivision of Pāhoa. Puna patrol officers responded to the scene and observed Loa working on a vehicle. Upon seeing police, Loa attempted to flee; however, officers quickly ran after him and took him into custody without incident at 4:38 p.m.
Upon conferring with the Hawaiʻi County Prosecutor’s Office, Loa was charged with the following offenses:
- Two counts of summons or arrest of defendant on probation; commitment without bail
- Second-degree escape
- First-degree theft
- Unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle (UCPV)
- Habitual property crime
Loa’s bail was set at $210,000. Following his charging, he was released back to the custody of the Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The escape from Hale Nani Correctional Facility was reported on the evening of Friday, December 13, 2024. Facility staff confirmed that Loa, along with 36-year-old Joseph Canito Fernandez and 41-year-old Kawai James Pomroy, left the facility without permission. Surveillance footage from the facility showed the three men operating a vehicle belonging to a facility employee, which was later recovered. Fernandez and Pomroy had been arrested and returned to custody at earlier dates.
Police extended their gratitude to the public for their assistance in providing valuable information that ultimately led to Loa’s arrest. Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information about wanted individuals to come forward.