Hilo, Hawaiʻi – A Puna man, 20-year-old Lasty Jessy, has been arrested and charged in connection with a series of alleged offenses that occurred between July 4 and July 6, 2025, culminating in a traffic collision in Hilo. Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced the charges today.
According to police reports, the sequence of events began on the evening of July 4, 2025, when Jessy was allegedly involved in a robbery incident at the Kona International Airport, where he is accused of taking a Subaru Outback. Just two days later, on July 6, 2025, Jessy was arrested following a traffic collision involving the same stolen Subaru Outback and another vehicle. The collision occurred near the intersection of Kanoelehua Avenue and West Kawailani Street in Hilo.
Jessy made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Tuesday afternoon. His bail was maintained at $194,000.00, and he has been ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on July 10, 2025.
The complaint alleges that Jessy faces multiple charges, including:
- Robbery in the Second Degree
- Theft in the First Degree (specifically, theft of a motor vehicle)
- Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree
- Resisting an Order to Stop a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree
- Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant
- Driving Without a License
- Reckless Driving
- Inattention to Driving
The most serious offenses, Robbery in the Second Degree and Theft in the First Degree, are both classified as Class B felony offenses. These carry a potential penalty of either a ten-year prison term or four years of probation with up to eighteen months in jail.
It is important to note that these charges are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The robbery aspect of the case was initiated by Kona Patrol, while the traffic collision and impaired driving investigation were handled by South Hilo Patrol. The felony investigation was led by Detective Robert Kamau, Jr., of the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Malate is prosecuting the case.