Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 35 year-old Van Ryan Dalere and 20 year-old Isaiah Smith, both of Puna, were charged with an array of offenses in relation to a series of property crimes alleged to have occurred in East Hawai‘i between March and May 2023, including a string of burglaries that occurred at self-storage facilities located within the Shipman Industrial Park between March and May 2023.
Smith made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Friday afternoon. Prosecutors’ request to increase bail, originally set at $19,000.00, was granted and bail was set at $92,000.00.
On Monday afternoon, Dalere made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court for both of his cases. His bail was maintained at $220,000.00 total.
As the Complaints allege, Smith and Dalere were both charged with 11 offenses in relation to incidents that occurred between March and April 2023, including the following: five counts of Burglary in the Second Degree; four counts of Theft in the Second Degree; and a single count each of Theft in the Fourth Degree and Criminal Property Damage in the Fourth Degree.
As the Complaint alleges, Dalere was also charged with an additional 23 offenses in relation to a search warrant, including the following: 19 counts of Unauthorized Possession of Confidential Personal Information; two counts of Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree; and a single count each of Theft in the Second Degree and Theft in the Third Degree.
The most serious offenses, Burglary in the Second Degree, Theft in the Second Degree, Unauthorized Possession of Confidential Personal Information, and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree, are all class C felony offenses which carries a penalty of either a five-year prison term or four years probation and up to twelve months in jail.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases were initiated by Puna Patrol and Officer Bryson Miyose, Puna Community Policing. The felony investigation was continued with the assistance of 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.