Hawai’i Island police have arrested and charged 39-year-old Sergey Anatolyevich Tkachuk, with an array of firearms and property offenses.  

On Wednesday afternoon, May 17, 2023, after conferring with County Prosecutors, detectives charged Tkachuk with the following offenses:

• ownership or possession prohibited (firearm)
• ownership of possession prohibited (ammunition)
• possession of prohibited weapons (weapon barrel length)
• manufacturing, purchasing, or obtaining firearm parts to assemble a firearm having no serial number (ghost gun)
• place to keep firearm
• place to keep ammunition
• unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle (UCPV)
• first-degree theft (vehicle)
• second-degree theft (utility trailer)
• three counts unauthorized possession of confidential personal information

Tkachuk’s bail was set at $156,000.

The charges against Tkachuk stem from an incident which occurred early Wednesday morning, May 16, 2023, shortly before 2:00 a.m., when Puna patrol officers were performing proactive beat checks in the Ainaloa Subdivision and observed a pick-up truck with a trailer attached, driving on Ainaloa Boulevard, then turn onto Sugarcane Drive. As the officers turned onto Sugarcane Drive, they observed the same truck on the side of the roadway, partially in the bushes. The truck engine was still running, the lights were illuminated, and the driver door was open; however, no one was observed within the truck or in the area. As officers began to investigate, they determined the truck and trailer had both recently been reported stolen. Officers then identified a fresh trail into the nearby bushes, and shortly thereafter located Tkachuk and a female acquaintance, 20-year-old Isabella Penn, attempting to conceal themselves.

Tkachuk and Penn were both arrested on outstanding warrants.

The stolen truck and trailer, as well as two bags located next to Tkachuk were recovered pending search warrants.    

The Area I Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) later served search warrants on the vehicle and bags, and recovered an un-serialized rifle with a prohibited barrel length, ammunition, and documents containing personal confidential information not belonging to Tkachuk or Penn.

In addition to the above listed charges against Tkachuk, he was also arrested and charged on the two outstanding warrants; one warrant was for violating conditions of release on bail, recognizance, or supervised release, and the other warrant was for first-degree bail jumping. The total bail for the two warrants was $20,000.

Tkachuk appeared in Hilo Circuit Court on Tuesday, May 16, for the warrants, where he was again granted supervised release by the presiding judge. He was then returned to the Hilo Cellblock due to the pending charges.

Penn was charged with two counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, and unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle (UEMV). Her bail was set at $21,000.   

Tkachuk and Penn were both scheduled for court appearances this afternoon, May 18, 2023, in Hilo District Court.