(BIVN) – The Puna man who was arrested and charged with the theft of a Toyota Tacoma from the parking lot of the Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo earlier this week made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Wednesday afternoon.
Prosecutors say 65-year-old Arthur Clayton, Jr. was denied a request supervised release and his bail was maintained at $72,000. Clayton was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on October 23, 2026.
The office of Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen shared this information:
According to police reports, later that same day, officers observed the Tacoma traveling at a high rate of speed on Government Beach Road. The driver refused to pull over, continued at a high rate of speed, and veered off the roadway before striking a telephone pole. The driver, later identified as Clayton, fled from the driver’s door of the Tacoma and was apprehended a short time later.
As the Complaint alleges, Clayton is charged with Theft in the First Degree (theft of a motor vehicle), Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, Driving Without a License, and Reckless Driving. Prosecutors say Theft in the First Degree is a class B felony offense which carries a penalty of either a ten-year prison term or four years probation and up to eighteen months in jail. Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree is a class C felony offense which carries a penalty of either a five-year prison term or four years probation and up to twelve months in jail.
“The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” the news release stated. “The arrest and investigation was initiated by Officer Cody Hirata, Puna Patrol. The felony investigation was handled by the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Hashizaki.”
