A 20-year-old Pahoa man faces 14 charges stemming from an alleged overnight crime spree in late September.
Kawika Roy Buckland was indicted Nov. 15 by a Hilo grand jury for driving a stolen vehicle, third-degree identity theft, three counts each of unauthorized entry to a motor vehicle and fourth-degree theft, and two counts each of unauthorized possession of confidential personal information, fraudulent use of a credit card and third-degree theft.
The seven most serious charges are Class C felonies punishable by up to five years imprisonment. The remainder are misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors.
A bench warrant issued with the indictment set Buckland’s bail at $16,750.
According to court documents, police arrested Buckland at 9:35 a.m. Sept. 21 after a Hawaiian Paradise Park resident reported an unknown man in his driveway passed out in the driver’s seat of a pickup. The truck, a 2003 Toyota Tacoma, was reported stolen from a Pahoa residence the previous evening.
Documents state video surveillance showed Buckland breaking into three vehicles parked at an Orchidland Drive residence and taking items from them, including the vehicles’ registrations, insurance cards and owner’s manuals, plus two gas cans from the side of the home.
Also allegedly stolen during the overnight spree were two handbags, a Social Security card, medical card, American Eagle blue jeans, an iPhone 6, cellphone chargers, emergency roadside kit and two bank debit cards — at least one of which was allegedly used by Buckland to purchase gasoline, cigarettes and food at the Orchidland Minit Stop convenience store.
The indictment moves Buckland’s case to Hilo Circuit Court from Hilo District Court, where he’s scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. Tuesday hearing on court-ordered mental examinations by two psychiatrists and a psychologist.
Buckland remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of bail.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald
