HPD Release:
Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged 33-year-old Lawrence Kekoa Botelho of Puna, following a violent incident in a Hilo fast-food drive thru late Wednesday night, October 20, 2021.
On Saturday afternoon, October 23, after conferring with Hawai‘i County Prosecutors, detectives charged Botelho with first-degree robbery, first-degree terroristic threatening, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle (UCPV), kidnapping, and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. His bail for those charges was set at $130,000. Botelho was also arrested and charged on an outstanding warrant for a probation violation.
The charges against Botelho stem from an incident that took place shortly before midnight on Wednesday, October 20, when South Hilo Patrol officers responded to the Puainako Town Center in Hilo for a reported vehicle theft. The 34-year-old victim reported to police that while driving into Hilo, he picked up a hitchhiker on the side of the roadway in Hawaiian Paradise Park.
Upon arriving in Hilo, the victim went to a fast-food restaurant drive thru in the Puainako Town Center. While they were waiting in line, the hitchhiker began acting erratically, yelling at the victim, and verbally threatening to kill him. The suspect was then reportedly observed to have a pistol and two knives in his hands. Fearing for his life, the victim exited the driver seat of his vehicle and ran for safety. The suspect then took the victim’s vehicle without permission. There were no reported injuries.
On Thursday afternoon, October 21, police located the victim’s vehicle unattended in the Panaewa area.
On the afternoon of Friday, October 22, Puna Patrol officers responded to a convenience store in Orchidland after it was reported that Botelho was in the area. That’s where he was subsequently located and arrested.
Botelho remained in police custody over the weekend pending his initial court appearance scheduled for today in Hilo District Court.
Prosecuting Attorneys Release:
Today, Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Puna man, 33 year-old Lawrence Kekoa Botelho was charged in relation to a string of offenses that occurred between October 20th and October 22nd.
As the Complaint alleges, Botelho, who has a prior felony conviction for Robbery in the Second Degree, was charged with six (6) offenses including Robbery in the First Degree (theft of a Mazda Tribute with the use of a knife, firearm, and/or simulated firearm), Kidnapping, Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree (with the use of a knife, firearm, and/or simulated firearm), Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (any amount of methamphetamine), and Prohibited Acts Related to Drug Paraphernalia. The most serious offenses, Robbery in the First Degree and Kidnapping, are both class A felony offenses which carry a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years in prison. Botelho, a repeat offender, faces a mandatory prison term if convicted as charged of any of the felony offenses, with the exception of the drug offense. At the time of his arrest, Botelho was also arrested for an outstanding warrant related to a motion for revocation of his felony probation.
Botelho will make his initial appearance today in Hilo District Court. He remains in custody in lieu of $132,000 bail on all matters.
The investigation was handled by Officer Lawrence Kobayashi, South Hilo Patrol, and Officer Steven Grace, Area I Special Enforcement Unit, Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney R. Winston Albright.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.