MEDIA RELEASE

Jovin Baba Batalona

A Honokaʻa man is in police custody in connection with a theft from a tourist’s rental car.

Just after 1 p.m. Monday (March 10), a 58-year-old visitor from Henryville, Indiana, reported that as he was returning to his unlocked rental car parked near a shopping center in Honokaʻa, he saw a man leaning in through the passenger door, removing cash from the console and fleeing on foot.

About 15 minutes later, police located the suspect, identified as Jovin Baba Batalona. He was arrested and taken to the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

At 2:05 p.m. Tuesday (March 11), Batalona was charged with unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle and third-degree theft. His bail was set at $11,000. He remains at the cellblock pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Wednesday (March 12).