Police Arrest and Charge Hilo Woman for Theft

Hawai‘i Island police detectives have arrested and charged 45-year-old Candice Kanoelehua Gomes, of Hilo, with numerous offenses in connection with a series of crimes that occurred between July 29 and 30, 2025, involving three separate residences in the Waiākea Uka area of Hilo.

After conferring with Hawai‘i County Prosecutors, police charged Gomes on Friday August 1, with the following offenses:
• First-degree theft
• Unauthorized control of propelled vehicle
• Two counts first-degree burglary
• Two counts first-degree unauthorized entry in the motor vehicle
• Second-degree theft
• Third-degree theft
• Two counts fourth-degree theft
• unauthorized possession of confidential and personal information

Her total bail was set at $143,000. Gomes is scheduled to make her initial court appearance on Monday afternoon, August 4, in Hilo District Court.

The charges stem from a series of incidents, including one reported on Wednesday, July 30, at 4:28 p.m., when South Hilo Patrol officers responded to a residence on the 100 block of Anela Street. The 52-year-old male victim reported his Honda sedan had been stolen from his open garage. Surveillance footage showed an unknown woman entering the garage, unlawfully entering the home to retrieve the car keys, and stealing property before driving off in the vehicle.

Responding officers recognized the suspect as Gomes from prior police contacts. While still on scene, officers observed the stolen vehicle drive past the residence. They conducted a traffic stop and arrested Gomes, who was the sole occupant. Stolen property from the Anela Street residence was found on her person, and additional items believed to be stolen were recovered from the vehicle. The car was secured as evidence at the Hilo Police Station, and detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section took over the investigation.

Later that same evening, at approximately 11:50 p.m., Gomes was arrested in connection with a separate theft investigation that occurred the previous day, Tuesday, July 29, at a residence on Kawili Street. In that incident, she was observed on video surveillance removing items from two parked vehicles.

On Thursday, July 31, detectives executed a search warrant on the stolen Honda sedan. They recovered items linked to the Kawili Street theft, as well as stolen property related to a separate burglary reported on July 30 at a residence on the 100 block of Kanoelani Street in Hilo.

The Area I Criminal Investigation Section is continuing the investigation. Police ask anyone who may have witnessed any of these incidents to contact Detective Daniel Tam at (808) 961-2380 or via email at Daniel.Tam@hawaiipolice.gov.