A 24-year-old Keaau man faces numerous charges in connection with an alleged monthlong crime spree.
Jonah Kanoa Mokuiki Drummondo-Rodrigues is charged with three counts of first-degree theft, plus second-degree theft, first-degree burglary, fourth-degree arson and two counts of first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.
According to court documents filed by police, Drummondo-Rodrigues admitting to stealing a blue 1997 Chevrolet 3500 pickup truck belonging to University of Hawaii Fleet Services from Hawaii Community College campus in Hilo on Nov. 16; a red Dodge 2500 pickup truck on Dec. 2 from in front of Suisan Fish Market in Hilo; and a 28-foot V-nose Gator trailer carrying a dragster race car valued at $40,000 from a Kaiwiki Road residence.
Drummondo-Rodrigues allegedly told police both pickup trucks were unlocked with the keys in the ignition when he took them. He also expressed shock when he found the dragster inside the trailer, and reportedly told officers he intended to live in the trailer.
Drummondo-Rodrigues also allegedly admitted to burglarizing a Road 2 home in Hawaiian Acres subdivision on Nov. 18 after kicking in the front door to gain entry.
He also allegedly used gasoline to burn the driver’s side front seat of the stolen blue Chevy 3500 pickup truck on the same date in the same location after it became stuck in the mud.
According to documents, Drummondo-Rodrigues told police he extinguished the flaming truck seat on his own.
The most serious charges, first-degree theft and first-degree burglary, are Class B felonies that carry a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
At Drummondo-Rodrigues’ initial court appearance on Tuesday, Hilo District Judge Bruce Larson confirmed bail for Drummondo-Rodrigues, who has no prior felony convictions, at $56,000 and ordered him to return Thursday for a preliminary hearing.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
