Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 43 year-old Rodley Ford of Volcano was arrested and charged in relation to a series of crimes committed between July 3, 2024 and July 4, 2024 including the theft of a Jeep originally reported stolen on May 18, 2024 from the Home Depot parking lot in Hilo, damaging two motor vehicles, leaving the scene of a traffic
collision involving bodily injury, and multiple offenses related to fleeing from police apprehension.
Ford made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday. His bail was maintained at $296,000.00 and he was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on July 10, 2024.
As the Complaint alleges, Ford is charged with sixteen counts including Theft in the First Degree (theft of a motor vehicle), Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, Habitual Property Crime, Possession of a Deadly Weapon in the Commission of a Crime, Accidents Involving Bodily Injury, two counts each of Criminal Property Damage in the First Degree
(intentionally damaged property, a Toyota 4Runner and a Toyota RAV-4, and recklessly placed another person(s) in danger of death or bodily injury), Resisting an Order to Stop Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, Reckless Driving, and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of methamphetamine), and three counts of Driving Without a License.
The most serious offenses, Theft in the First Degree and Criminal Property Damage in the First Degree, are class B felony offenses which carries a penalty of either a ten-year prison term or four years probation and up 18 months in jail.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases were initiated by South Hilo Patrol and the Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit. 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 Ryan Caday.
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.