KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (KHON2) — The Hawaiʻi Police Department has arrested and charged a 20-year-old Keaʻau man with multiple crimes in connection to a July 4, robbery at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport.
Lasty Jessy was charged on July 7, with first-degree robbery, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, first-degree theft, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and several more road-related crimes.
Police said Jessy entered the driver’s seat of a vehicle owned by a 57-year-old woman who was dropping her friend off at the airport. While the woman was out of her vehicle helping her friend unload her luggage, police said Jessy attempted to drive away in the vehicle.
The woman ran to the vehicle, whose driver-side door was open, and grabbed the steering wheel to stop the suspect, police said. Authorities then said she was dragged a few feet by the moving vehicle before letting go.
The woman was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and was later released.
The stolen vehicle was located two days later on July 6, when a patrol officer found the stolen vehicle on the road. When authorities tried to stop the vehicle, the vehicle sped away, fleeing the scene, HPD said.
Late that day, police said that Jessy had gotten into a major traffic collision with the car and fled the crash scene before being detained by a Department of Land and Natural Resources DOCARE officer. He was then arrested upon arrival of HPD.
Jessy’s bail has since been set at $194,000. The investigation is ongoing, and those with any information are asked to contact Detective Robert Kamau Jr. at (808) 961-2384 or at robert.kamau@hawaiicounty.gov.