Hilo man accused of crime spree

SANVIN SILEM
Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

A judge has ordered a 24-year-old Hilo man to appear Sept. 20 in Hilo District Court in connection with an alleged crime spree in July and August.

Sanvin Silem is charged with first-degree theft, theft of a credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card, third-degree identity theft, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information, fourth-degree criminal property damage, four counts of first-degree burglary, three counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree theft, two counts of second-degree trespassing, and six counts of fourth-degree theft.

The most serious charges, first-degree burglary and first-degree theft, are Class B felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Police said they linked a series of burglaries of homes and businesses to Silem that were reported in the Waiakea and Kanoelehua Industrial areas.

According to court documents, Silem was charged with theft and unauthorized control of a tow truck belonging to Benny’s Mobile Services, unauthorized control of a privately owned Toyota Corolla and moped, theft of a mountain bike from a private residence, as well as theft of property belonging to Ziebart, Keoki’s Repair and Leung’s Chop Suey House.

Silem was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, but his attorney, Deputy Public Defender Patrick Munoz, waived the time requirement for the hearing.

Judge Jeffrey Hawk set a status hearing on the case without witnesses for Sept. 20.

A search of court records turned up no prior felony convictions for Silem, but he is scheduled for a hearing on Sept. 27 for repeated noncompliance with terms of his sentencing for a 2016 DUI conviction.

He remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $205,040 bail.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.