A 57-year-old Pahoa man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly stealing a donation jar for an 8-year-old girl in need of a heart transplant.
A 57-year-old Pahoa man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly stealing a donation jar for an 8-year-old girl in need of a heart transplant.
Police detained Jeffrey W. Kleinschmidt near the corner of Highway 130 and Paradise Drive.
He allegedly is the man seen in a surveillance video taking the donation jar for Madisyn Tamaki on Monday at the Irie Hawaii store in Pahoa.
Kleinschmidt was charged with third-degree theft. His bail was maintained at $1,000 Thursday during his initial appearance in 3rd Circuit Court.
Kleinschmidt was arrested along with Kristin Wood Johnson, 45, of Pahoa. Johnson was charged with contempt of court and hasn’t been charged in connection with the theft.
At least $200 was in the jar.
Madisyn was transferred to the Seattle Children’s Hospital, where she is awaiting a heart transplant, family members said. She was diagnosed with acute fulminant myocarditis, an inflammatory disease that attacks the heart muscle, according to a fundraising website set up for her.
Kleinschmidt’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 10.