Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 35 year-old Albert Kumia, Jr. of Hilo was charged in relation to the theft of a Honda CR-V, originally reported stolen on May 7, 2022, habitual property crime, and methamphetamine possession offenses.

As the Complaint alleges, Kumia, a repeat offender with 5 prior felony convictions, was charged with 4 offenses including Theft in the Second Degree (exert unauthorized control over a Honda CR-V, valued over $750, with intent to deprive the owner of the Honda CR-V), Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree (operate a Honda CR-V and/or change the identity of the Honda CR-V without the owner’s permission), Habitual Property Crime, and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possession of any amount of methamphetamine).

All four of these offenses are class C felonies and carry a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison. If convicted as charged, Kumia faces sentencing to a mandatory minimum prison term without the possibility of parole. Review of court minutes indicates that at the time of his arrest, Kumia was facing revocation of his felony probation in two other unrelated matters and was recently released from custody after being granted supervised release over Prosecutors’ objections on May 2, 2022.

The case was initiated by Officers Kris Palea and Preston Paglinawan, South Hilo Patrol, and the felony investigation was handled by Officer Rodney DeLima and Detective Keith Simeona, Special Enforcement Unit, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Soong.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office