MEDIA RELEASE

China-Lyn Almeida

A man and a woman have been charged with felonies after being found at a burglary in progress in Puna.

On October 5, Puna Patrol officers responded to an 8:05 a.m. report of an active burglary on the 15-1580 block of 11th Avenue in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision. At the scene, police encountered the suspects, 19-year-old China-Lyn Almeida of Keaʻau and 46-year-old Jarrett Hanato of Keaʻau. They were in possession of property that had been in the home of the 51-year-old female victim.

Jarrett Hanato

The two were arrested and taken to the Hilo police cellblock. At the police station, police executed a search warrant on Almeida’s purse, where they recovered marijuana, a minute quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

At 7 p.m. on October 6, Almeida was charged with first-degree burglary, promoting a dangerous drug, promoting a detrimental drug, possessing drug paraphernalia and unsworn falsification to authorities (for giving false information about her identity). Her bail was set at $9,750. Hanato was charged with first-degree burglary. His bail was set at $5,000.

Both remained at the cellblock until their initial court appearance on October 7.