Detectives from Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area II Criminal Investigation Section have arrested and charged 33-year-old Nakalohe Gersaba of Kailua-Kona with numerous offenses stemming from a spree of vehicle thefts reported in the Kona district.
On Friday, June 7, 2024, at 7:50 a.m., as officers responded to report of a stolen 2020 Jeep Wrangler fronting an address in the 75-5700 block of Lanakoi Place in Kailua-Kona they observed that the Jeep left the area and was being driven by a Gersaba, who was a suspect in multiple recent vehicle theft investigations.
When officers attempted a traffic stop, Gersaba refused the officers’ order to stop and fled the area, driving in a reckless manner. Gersaba drove the stolen vehicle to the end of a cul-de-sac in a Kealakehe subdivision where he left the vehicle and fled on foot.
Officers located Gersaba hiding in a nearby residence, which he had entered without permission. Upon attempting to arrest Gersaba, he resisted, requiring three officers to place him in handcuffs. A glass smoking pipe and a packet containing approximately two grams of methamphetamine was located with Gersaba.
At the time of his arrest, Gersaba was already wanted by police as a suspect in at least seven vehicle theft investigations in the Kona area during the past week.
Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section continued the investigations and after conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office on Sunday morning, June 9, Gersaba was charged with the following offenses:
- Eight counts of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle (auto theft)
- Seven counts of first-degree theft
- Two counts of reckless driving
- Violation of a protective order
- Unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle
- Second-degree unauthorized entry of a dwelling
- First-degree terroristic threatening
- Resisting an order to stop a motor vehicle
- Resisting arrest
- Third-degree promoting a dangerous drug
- Driving without a license
Gersaba’s total bail was set at $545,000.
Gersaba remains in custody at the Kealakehe Police Station pending his initial court appearance in Kona District Court scheduled for Monday, June 10.
Anyone with information relative to this investigation is encouraged to call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311. They may also contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118 or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.
