Hilo, Hawaiʻi – Justin Yamauchi, 30, of Mountain View, has been arrested and charged in connection with the theft of a Subaru Outback and two separate incidents of resisting a police order to stop in Puna. Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced the charges today.
The Subaru Outback was originally reported stolen on June 29, 2025, from a residence on Kinoʻole Street in Hilo. Yamauchi was allegedly involved in two separate incidents where he resisted a police order to stop on July 7, 2025, and July 14, 2025, both occurring in the Puna district.
According to police reports, on July 15, 2025, Crime Reduction Unit officers located and arrested Yamauchi at the Kurtistown 7-Eleven after observing him operating the stolen Subaru. At the time of his arrest, Yamauchi also had two other unrelated outstanding warrants.
Yamauchi made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Wednesday afternoon. His bail was maintained at $135,000.00, and he has been ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on July 18, 2025.
The criminal complaint alleges Yamauchi is charged with:
- Theft in the First Degree (theft of a motor vehicle)
- Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree
- Habitual Property Crime
- Driving Without a License
- Two counts of Resisting an Order to Stop a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree
The most serious offense, Theft in the First Degree, is a Class B felony. This offense carries a potential penalty of either a ten-year prison term or four years of probation with up to eighteen months in jail.
The charges are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The motor vehicle theft investigation was initiated by South Hilo Patrol, while the resist order to stop investigations were initiated by Puna Patrol. The felony investigation was led by Officers Edward Petrie and Sean-Tyler Kepoo of the Crime Reduction Unit, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawaiʻi Police Department. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Woodrow Pengelly is prosecuting the case.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney stated its continued dedication to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone with information to assist local law enforcement is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.