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Today, Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Hilo man, 29 year-old Cole Evans-Tanigawa, also known as Malu Evans-Tanigawa, was charged with twelve offenses related to multiple crimes in East Hawai‘i, alleged to have occurred over the last month. At the time of his arrest, Evans-Tanigawa was also wanted on two outstanding bench warrants.
As the Complaint alleges, Evans-Tanigawa, a habitual property crime offender, was charged with three counts of Fraudulent Use of Credit Card, two counts of Identity Theft in the Third Degree, Unauthorized Possession of Personal or Confidential Personal Information, Identity Theft in the First Degree, Theft in the First Degree, Attempted Theft in the Third Degree, Habitual Property Crime, Resisting an Order to Stop Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, and Unauthorized Control of Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree.
He remains in custody in lieu of $141,000.00 bail. Evans-Tanigawa is scheduled to make his initial appearance on Wednesday in Hilo District Court. The lead investigator is Officer David Po‘ohina, Area I Special Enforcement Unit, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Soong.
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.