Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Puna man, 18 year-old Kaiea Fleming-White, was arrested and charged with robbery, possession of methamphetamine, theft of a credit card, and other offenses related to the fraudulent use of a credit card. The charges stem from an August 4, 2023 incident where Fleming-White is alleged to have forcefully removed a 62 year-old man’s wallet from within his cargo short’s pocket while the man was at the McDonald’s restaurant inside of the Hilo Walmart store and later using the man’s credit cards at several Hilo establishments on the same day. At the time of his arrest, Fleming-White was also arrested for a warrant stemming from an unrelated Hilo Circuit Court case.

Fleming-White made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday afternoon. His bail was maintained at $129,000.00 and he was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on August 9, 2023 in Hilo District Court.

As the Complaint alleges, Fleming-White was charged with Robbery in the Second Degree (in the course of committing theft, used force against another person), Theft in the Second Degree (exerted unauthorized control over the property of another, a wallet, where the property is commonly used to store items of monetary value), Theft in the First Degree (theft from the property of another from the person of another, whom is sixty years of age or older), Theft of Credit Card, Unauthorized Possession of Confidential or Personal Information, two counts of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, two counts of Identity Theft in the Third Degree, two counts of Theft in the Fourth Degree, and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree (possess one-eighth ounce or more of methamphetamine).

Robbery in the Second Degree and Theft in the First Degree are both class B felony offenses punishable by either a ten-year prison term or four years probation and up to eighteen months in jail.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was initiated by Officers Joshua Gouveia, Jesse Robert, Roland Kuamo‘o, and Ashton Gomes, South Hilo Patrol. The felony investigation was led by Detective Kimo Keli‘ipa‘akaua, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Malate.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.