Documents: Suspect confessed to jacking ATV

A 30-year-old Puna man admitted he stole another man’s all-terrain vehicle Friday in lower Puna, according to documents filed by police.

Anthony Mercer allegedly told officers he saw the victim, 41-year-old Jonas Eblacas, riding a 2006 Honda 250 quad/ATV on Waa Waa Road in lower Puna and followed the man to a secluded fishing spot known as “Opihi Rock,” about a mile off Government Beach Road.

Mercer then reportedly wrapped a piece of old metal with “a barrel like a .44” in his boxer briefs to make Eblacas think he had a handgun.

“The idiot believed it was a gun” and “did everything I told him to do,” Mercer allegedly told officers before admitting he took Eblacas’ ATV and drove away.

Documents state that Eblacas and Mercer were unacquainted prior to the incident.

Eblacas told officers that shortly before noon Friday he felt something touch his back, according to documents. Turning around, Eblacas saw a man gripping what he believed to be a handgun wrapped in a “black and white rag.”

The man told Eblacas to “get to the ground” and “no look at me,” and Eblacas complied, documents state. Eblacas then reportedly heard the suspect start his quad and ride off toward Beach Road.

Eblacas then called his wife to tell her about the incident and to ask her to call police.

Officers later found the stolen ATV just south of 7th Avenue in Hawaiian Paradise Park, about 25 yards into the bushes on the north side of Makuu Drive.

Mercer was taken into custody about 20-feet away from the vehicle, police said.

After being arrested, Mercer allegedly told officers he “had a hell of a day” and would take responsibility for his actions.

Mercer, who was charged with first-degree robbery and motor vehicle theft, made his initial appearance Tuesday in Hilo District Court. Bail was set at $60,000, and he was ordered to appear Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.

On Wednesday, Mercer waived the hearing and was ordered to appear at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 20 for arraignment and plea.

The most serious charge, first-degree robbery, is a Class A felony that carries a potential 20-year prison sentence upon conviction.

According to court records, Mercer was serving four years of probation for a 2021 conviction for third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. Documents state it’s Mercer’s only prior felony conviction,

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.