MEDIA RELEASE

Hilo detectives have charged two Hilo men in connection with a series of car break-ins which occurred in the Hilo area.

John M. Pea (left) Ryan Hank (right)

John M. Pea, 18, and Ryan Hank, 19, were both charged with 7 counts of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and 1 count of second degree criminal property damage. Each of the charges are class C Felonies, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Both suspects were arrested on Banyan Drive on Tuesday (May 12). Security officers working for a Banyan Drive hotel witnessed one suspect use a sharp instrument to cut open the convertible top of a vehicle to gain entry into the vehicle while the other suspect acted as a lookout. When confronted by security, the suspect in the vehicle fled on foot. He was later apprehended, along with the other suspect who returned to the scene while police were taking the complaint.

Detectives linked Pea and Hank to 5 additional vehicle break-ins on Banyan Drive, as well as 2 other break-ins on Aupuni Street.

Pea and Hank remain at the Hilo Cellblock in lieu of $14,000 bail each. Their arraignment was scheduled for 05-14-09 at Hilo District Court.

Police ask that anyone with information about similar car break-ins to call Lieutenant Mitchell Kanehailua at 961-2252, or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.