Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Puna woman, 45 year-old Marie Ramangmou was arrested and charged in relation to two separate incidents, where unbeknownst to the complainants, their wallets were removed from their purses while they were patronizing Hilo business establishments. The first incident occurred on February 7, 2024 at the Downtown Hilo KTA. The second incident occurred on February 23, 2024 at the 7-Eleven located off of Kaumana Drive in Hilo.
Ramangmou made her initial appearance on Tuesday morning in Kona District Court. Over Prosecutors’ objections, the Court reduced Ramangmou’s total bail from $225,000.00 to $20,000.00. Ramangmou was ordered to appear for preliminary hearings on March 7, 2024 in Hilo District Court.
As the first Complaint alleges, Ramangmou was charged with charged with Theft in the Second Degree (theft of wallet, property commonly used to store items of monetary value), Theft in the Second Degree, (theft of property, value of which exceeded $750), Unauthorized Possession of Confidential Personal Information, Theft of Credit Card, Habitual Property Crime, and two counts each of Fraudulent Use of Credit Card, Identity Theft in the Third Degree, and Theft in the Fourth Degree.
As the second Complaint alleges, Ramangmou was charged with Theft in the Second Degree, Unauthorized Possession of Confidential Personal Information, Theft of Credit Card, Habitual Property Crime, and Theft in the Fourth Degree.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases were initiated by South Hilo Patrol, the arrest was made by Officer Charles Caldwell-Kaai, Kona Patrol, and the felony investigation was handled by the Crime Reduction Unit, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Soong.
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.