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Kona theft suspect, 21, has violent criminal history

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE
Drosstain Edward Pua

A 21-year-old Honaunau man was being held on $131,000 bail in the Kona police cellblock pending an initial court appearance on theft, burglary, drug and contempt of court charges.

Authorities charged Drosstain Pua, 21, with unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, first-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree theft and promotion of a detrimental drug yesterday afternoon.

Pua is known to police and prosecutors.

In 2008, Pua pleaded guilty to terroristic threatening, assault and harassment charges in connection with the assault of several Caucasian campers in January 2007 at Hookena Beach Park in what was alleged to have been a hate crime.

Pua is also a suspect in the assault of a 50-year-old Captain Cook man on Painted Church Road in South Kona on July 7 and was charged July 12 with assault and bail violations.

Police said Pua and another man hit and kicked the victim after he wrote down the license plate of the car they were in.

Pua had been out on $75,000 bail, but a bench warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to show up at a July 26 hearing to revoke his bail.

Police arrested Pua Tuesday afternoon on the bench warrant and new charges when patrol officers in Captain Cook observed a vehicle matching the description of a car suspected in a car theft earlier in the day in Captain Cook.

Detectives searched the car and said they located stolen property that had been taken in a theft and burglary cases earlier in the day.

In 2008, Pua received probation for the Hookena Beach Park assaults after pleading guilty to the lesser charges.

If Pua had been convicted under the state’s hate crime law, which doubles penalties, he could have faced up to ten years in prison for each count.

In November 2008, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Strance re-sentenced Pua to six month in jail after he violated his probation.

When Strance asked Pua why he didn’t follow her orders, he replied, “Slacking. I just never do what I’m supposed to do.”

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