Hawai‘i Island police have charged two Puna men with an array of property, firearm, and drug offenses.
After conferring with County Prosecutors, County detectives charged 48-year-old John Patrick Rapozo, and 44-year-old Kiha Rodney Stone Kaahu with the following offenses:
Rapozo was charged with:
- Two counts of first-degree unauthorized control of propelled vehicle (UCPV)
- Two counts of first-degree theft (motor vehicle)
- First-degree criminal property damage
- Resist order to stop motor vehicle
- Ownership or possession prohibited (pistol)
- Ownership or possession prohibited (un-serialized pistol, “ghost gun”)
- Two counts ownership or possession prohibited (ammunition)
- Possession of high-capacity magazine prohibited
- Second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
Execution of search warrants on the vehicle being operated by Rapozo and a backpack recovered in his possession, yielded a loaded firearm and ammunition, as well as 6.8 grams of methamphetamine.Additionally, Rapozo was charged with first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and resist order to stop motor vehicle, stemming from an incident in January 2022, investigated by the Area I Vice Section.
Kaahu was charged with:
- First-degree unauthorized control of propelled vehicle (UCPV)
- First-degree theft (motor vehicle)
- First-degree criminal property damage
- Third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
Execution of a search warrant on the vehicle being operated by Kaahu yielded various drug paraphernalia items with a measurable amount of methamphetamine reside; as well as items linked to additional crimes still under investigation.
The charges against Rapozo and Kaahu stem from an incident on Thursday April 28, 2022, when police received information about a stolen vehicle on Kalara Street, in Kea’au. As officers were preparing to converge onto the commercial property, the stolen vehicle exited onto Kalara Street. The operator, identified as Kaahu, immediately accelerated to avoid police contact and drove the stolen vehicle across Kipimana Street into the field of a nearby nursery, damaging agricultural property. Moments later, Kaahu and his female passenger, 39-year-old Maria Kaululani Moala, were arrested as they attempted to flee the stolen vehicle that had become immobilized.
As police were further investigating they observed another stolen vehicle approaching the area. After seeing police, the stolen vehicle operator immediately turned around and fled the area at high speed down Kipimana Street. Police were able to identify the operator as Rapozo. A short time later the vehicle was involved in a traffic casualty near the intersection of Route 11 and Highway 139; the stolen vehicle left the scene and began traveling back towards Hilo. Later, witnesses observed Rapozo abandoning the vehicle off of Kipimana Street, opposite the entrance to the Shipman Industrial Park.
Police immediately created a perimeter of the wooded area where Rapozo was last seen. He was located hiding in the center-median area of Highway 11 and Kipimana Street and was arrested without further incident.
Both stolen vehicles were recovered as evidence pending execution of the search warrants, and the eventual return to the lawful owners.
HPD Photo
