A 50-year-old Pahoa man faces 37 criminal charges — 26 of them felonies — after allegedly embarking on a two-day spending spree with a stolen debit card.
Steven John faces nine counts each of theft of varying degrees, identity theft of varying degrees and fraudulent use of a credit card, plus single counts of second-degree forgery, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information, and habitual property crime.
The most serious offense, second-degree identity theft, is a Class B felony that carries a potential 10-year prison sentence.
According to the complaint, John used the Bank of Hawaii debit card belonging to a Puna woman on July 31 and Aug. 1 at Longs Drugs in Keaau, Foodland in Keaau, Ross Dress for Less in Hilo, L&L Hawaiian BBQ in Keaau, Keaau Ace Hardware, Paka’s Smoke Shop in Keaau, Mid Pacific Wheels in Hilo, Sack N Save in the Puainako Shopping Center, Aloha Mini Mart in Hilo, Joanne’s Lounge in Hilo, and Club Rose in Hilo.
While a list of the merchandise allegedly bought with stolen card and its retail value wasn’t available, the complaint says the value of what was bought at Mid Pacific Wheels exceeds $750, making it a second-degree theft charge, a Class C felony.
At John’s initial court appearance on Monday, Hilo District Judge Kimberly Taniyama maintained his bail at $160,000 and ordered him to appear today for a preliminary hearing.
John has no prior felony convictions but has been convicted of second-degree unauthorized entry to a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, plus fourth-degree theft and two counts of second-degree criminal trespassing, all petty misdemeanors.
He remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
