Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 25 year-old Tiane Kapeli-Spencer of Puna, will appear for sentencing in February 2022 for a December 27, 2020 rental car robbery incident involving a tourist along Highway 130 in Puna.

On December 1, 2021, Kapeli-Spencer entered a “No Contest” plea to the charge of Robbery in the Second Degree, which is a class B felony and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Following the entry of her plea, Kapeli-Spencer stipulated to revocation of her felony probation. Court documentation indicates that she has agreed to serve the maximum 10 year penalty, which will be served concurrently to her felony revocation matters. Kapeli-Spencer, who has remained in custody throughout the pendency of these criminal proceedings, was ordered to appear for sentencing on February 16, 2022.

The initial investigation was handled by Puna Patrol and the Area I Criminal Investigation Section. The follow up investigation and arrest was handled by Sgt. Christopher Jelsma, South Kohala Patrol, formerly of the Area I Special Enforcement Unit, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Hashizaki.

Photo credit: County of Hawaiʻi Prosecuting Attorney’s Office