Police: Skateboard-wielding man creates disturbance at Kona Pier

IBANEZ
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A 54-year-old Kailua-Kona man who allegedly wreaked havoc early Monday morning at Kailua Pier will receive a court-appointed mental examination.

Kona District Judge Kimberly Taniyama on Friday ordered examinations of Julius Jordan Ibanez for fitness to stand trial and mental capacity to understand his actions.

Taniyama ordered Ibanez to return to court at 1 p.m. Sept. 20.

According to police, at about 2:15 a.m. Monday, Kona patrol officers responded to Kailua Pier on a report of an agitated male suspect damaging a truck with a skateboard. The caller also reported that the suspect was untying boats from the dock.

Arriving officers reportedly found Ibanez wielding a skateboard in close proximity to a late-model pick-up truck with extensive damage to its entire body. Officers also observed an approximate 10-foot boat, on the west side of the pier, drifting towards the horizon. A second boat was seen about a quarter-mile west of the first boat, barely visible in the darkness.

Witnesses reported that Ibanez hit the damaged truck numerous times with the skateboard, then allegedly boarded two boats and untied the mooring securing them to the dock, allowing them to drift freely toward the horizon.

Ibanez was arrested without incident and taken to Kealakehe Police Station while officers investigated. The Hawaii Fire Department also responded to the scene and provided crucial assistance that resulted in the successful recovery of the vessels, which are valued in excess of $40,000.

Ibanez was charged with: two counts of first-degree unauthorized entry to a motor vehicle second-degree; first-, second- and fourth-degree theft; second-degree criminal property damage; harassment; disorderly conduct; and habitual property crime.

Ibanez’s bail was originally set at $78,000, although it was lowered Wednesday by Taniyama to $30,000 during Ibanez’s initial court appearance.

He remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.