MEDIA RELEASE

Third Circuit Court Judge Glenn S. Hara denied the request by Hilo resident Ian Pilcher, 27, to defer his guilty plea to theft in the second degree and sentenced him for that offense on April 2, according to Prosecuting Attorney Charlene Y. lboshi.

Pilcher was sentenced to three years probation with the special condition that he serve 60 days in jail and pay a fine of $3,774.92.

Investigation by the Hawaii Police Department revealed that on Nov. 14, 2011, Pilcher entered a retail store in Hilo, ripped the price tag off of a diaper bag, filled the diaper bag with more than $900 worth of video games, and walked out of the store without paying for the items. He was confronted by a loss prevention agent outside of the store and held for the arrival of the police.

Theft in the second degree is a class “C” felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Felony shoplifters are also required to pay a fine equal to four times the value of the property that they steal or attempt to steal.

Most Big Island merchants have zero tolerance policies regarding shoplifters. Shoplifters in Hawaii County are caught, arrested, prosecuted, and upon conviction, most of the time they go to jail.