A 22-year-old Hilo man, Shaycen Roily Sabino of Hilo has been arrested and charged following an auto-theft that left a family visiting from Japan without their rental vehicle.
The charges against Sabino stem from an incident on Thursday evening, November 24, 2022, when South Hilo Patrol officers responded to a hotel on Banyan Drive in Hilo, after it was reported that as a family was checking in, their rental vehicle was stolen. Responding officers determined the victims pulled up fronting the hotel and began unloading their luggage, when they were approached by a male who told them he would park their vehicle. The family believed the man was a hotel employee; however, it was later determined the hotel does not have a valet service and their vehicle had been stolen.
During the course of the investigation, officers identified Sabino as a suspect and he was later observed operating the vehicle. He was located in the Banyan Drive area on Saturday morning, November 26, 2022, and arrested after a short foot pursuit with officers.
Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced as the Complaint alleges, Sabino, a felony repeat offender, was charged with Theft in the First Degree (exert unauthorized control over another person’s Chevrolet Malibu with intent to deprive the owner of their property), Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree (exert unauthorized control over another person’s vehicle without their consent), and Habitual Property Crime. The most serious offense, Theft in the First Degree, is a class B felony offense which is punishable by a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. If convicted as charged, Sabino faces sentencing to a mandatory prison term and will not be eligible for probation.
Sabino made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday afternoon. Sabino’s request for supervised release was denied and his bail was maintained at $70,000.00.
The case was initiated by Officer Roland Kuamo‘o, South Hilo Patrol, and the arrest was made by Officer Sheldon Adviento, South Hilo Patrol. The felony investigation was handled by Detective Paul Mangus, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lucas Burns.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
