Mental exam ordered for alleged bus thief

A 21-year-old Hilo man accused of stealing two county buses in August will receive a mental examination.

Hilo District Judge Bruce Larson on Thursday ordered a panel of three mental health professionals to examine Kawelo Nakamura.

The examination suspends most proceedings in the case of the second alleged theft, which occurred Monday from the Mass Transit Agency’s East Kawailani Street baseyard in Hilo.

Nakamura is in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $60,000 bail — $18,000 for the first alleged bus theft, which occurred on Aug. 5, and $42,000 in the second.

A bail hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in the second case. Nakamura pleaded not guilty in the first case and trial is set for Jan. 8, 2018.