KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (KHON2) — Two men and a woman were arrested and charged in Kona in connection to a string of crimes that occurred between May 27 and June 9, Hawaiʻi Island police said.
Authorities say on May 27, Hilo officers responded to an incident regarding a stolen cellphone, which was able to be traced to Clint Hutchins, 52.
On June 1, police say Hutchins intentionally struck a man on a moped while driving an SUV, which sent the victim to the hospital.
The next day, Kona officers responded to a report of four vehicles missing from a car dealership, with authorities saying one of the stolen vehicles was the SUV used in the traffic incident on June 1. The vehicle was later recovered.
Hawaiʻi Police Department then received a tip on June 3, informing officials of the location one of the other missing vehicles, which were in Hilo. Authorities say that Chassity Nakamura, 34, was found in the vehicle and was arrested for unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.
Police investigated the incident and found that Hutchins had operated the stolen vehicle and fled on foot.
On June 4, a Puna officer, who was off-duty, found Hutchins operating another vehicle that was reported as stolen. Hutchins was located and arrested in Hilo on June 6.
Several days later on June 9, investigators were able to locate the last stolen vehicle at a Keaʻau residence. Police arrested Casey Masetta Costa, 26, for first-degree theft and second-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.
All four vehicles stolen from the Kona dealership have since been recovered.
Hutchins was charged with multiple theft counts as well as other crimes. His bail has been set at $70,100. Nakamura was charged with unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, with her bail set at $1,000. Massetta Costa was charged with theft and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, with a $15,000 bail.
Anyone with information on any of the incidents is asked to contact Detective Amy Omaya at (808) 961-2381 or at amy.omaya@hawaiipolice.gov.