Police nab crime spree suspect

Police charged a 25-year-old Puna man Friday for a violent armed robbery May 18 in Puna and for other offenses.

Lucas Rivera was charged with first-degree robbery, computer fraud, resisting an order to stop, multiple counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, theft, computer fraud, criminal property damage, drug offenses and three counts of driving a stolen vehicle.

His bail is set at $451,000 and his initial court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday.

Rivera’s arrest Thursday night at Punaluu Beach Park in Ka‘u followed several reports of a white pickup truck speeding and overtaking vehicles as it traveled in the Volcano direction on Highway 11 from Kurtistown and later similar reports in Ka‘u. Officers saw the truck and identified the driver as Rivera, police said, and an extensive air and ground search was launched.

Officers did not pursue in the interest of public safety, police said.

The truck, which was stolen Wednesday in Leilani Estates, was found abandoned near Punaluu Beach Park.

Witnesses and others with information are asked to contact Detective Aaron Carvalho at 961-2272 or Aaron.Carvalho@hawaiicounty.gov or call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.