Hilo, Hawaiʻi – Haʻaheo Chan, 28, of Mountain View, has been arrested and charged in connection with two separate incidents that occurred on July 13, 2025, in the Puna district: the theft of a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and a subsequent robbery, unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, and assault. Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced the charges today.
According to police reports, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon was originally reported stolen from the parking lot of Sundari Gardens in Pāhoa. Later that day, a separate incident unfolded on the shoulder of 37th Avenue in Orchidland Estates, involving robbery, unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, and assault. On Wednesday, officers from the Area I Crime Reduction Unit located and arrested Chan at a Mountain View residence.
Chan made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Thursday afternoon. His bail was maintained at $143,000.00, and he has been ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on July 21, 2025.
The criminal complaint alleges Chan is charged with:
- Robbery in the Second Degree
- Theft in the First Degree (theft of a motor vehicle)
- Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree
- Unauthorized Entry Into Motor Vehicle in the First Degree
- Assault in the Third Degree
The most serious offenses, Robbery in the Second Degree and Theft in the First Degree, are both classified as Class B felony offenses, which carry a maximum penalty of a ten-year prison term. Prosecutors have also provided notice that if convicted as charged, Chan faces sentencing to a mandatory prison term and will not be eligible for probation.
The charges are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The robbery investigation was initiated by Officer Dallas Arce of Puna Patrol, while the motor vehicle theft investigation was initiated by Officer Jason Lin, also of Puna Patrol. The felony investigation was led by Detective Michael Matsumura, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawaiʻi Police Department. Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Woodrow Pengelly and Patrick Muñoz are prosecuting the case.