Hilo, Hawaii – Following a series of thefts and burglaries in the Waiākea Uka area, 45-year-old Hilo resident Candice Kanoelehua Gomes has been charged with 11 offenses and has made her initial court appearance. The charges stem from a police investigation into incidents that occurred between July 29 and July 30, 2025, at three separate residences.
On Friday, August 1, after conferring with Hawaiʻi County Prosecutors, police officially charged Gomes with the following crimes:
- First-degree theft
- Unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle
- Two counts of first-degree burglary
- Two counts of first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle
- Second-degree theft
- Third-degree theft
- Two counts of fourth-degree theft
- Unauthorized possession of confidential and personal information
Her total bail has been set at $143,000. During her initial court appearance on Monday, August 4, before Judge Jennifer Ng, a motion for supervised release was denied. The court also noted the withdrawal of Public Defender Arthur Indiola due to a conflict of interest and the appointment of Stanton Oshiro. Gomes’ preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 2:00 PM.
The investigation began after South Hilo Patrol officers responded to a reported vehicle theft on July 30 at a residence on the 100 block of Anela Street. The 52-year-old male victim reported his Honda sedan had been stolen from his open garage. Surveillance footage showed a woman, later identified as Gomes, entering the garage, unlawfully entering the home to retrieve the car keys, and stealing other property before driving off in the vehicle.
Officers, who recognized Gomes from prior contacts, spotted the stolen vehicle driving past the residence and conducted a traffic stop. Gomes, who was the sole occupant, was arrested. Stolen property from the Anela Street residence was found on her person, and additional items believed to be stolen were recovered from the vehicle.
Further investigation by detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section linked Gomes to two additional incidents: a theft from two parked vehicles on Kawili Street on July 29, and a burglary at a residence on the 100 block of Kanoelani Street on July 30. A search warrant executed on the stolen Honda sedan recovered items connected to all three incidents.
The Area I Criminal Investigation Section is continuing the investigation. Police ask anyone with information to contact Detective Daniel Tam at (808) 961-2380 or via email at Daniel.Tam@hawaiipolice.gov.these incidents to contact Detective Daniel Tam at (808) 961-2380 or via email at Daniel.Tam@hawaiipolice.gov.