Man sentenced in Hilo car break-ins, thefts

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

A 46-year-old Hilo man was sentenced Tuesday to prison in connection with a series of property crimes during 2010 and ’11 in Hilo.

A 46-year-old Hilo man was sentenced Tuesday to prison in connection with a series of property crimes during 2010 and ‘11 in Hilo.

3rd Circuit Court Judge Glenn S. Hara sentenced Joseph V. Ada to concurrent five-year prison terms, despite not having a prior felony conviction, according to the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.

He pleaded guilty May 29 to 12 counts first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, six counts second-degree theft and one count each fraudulent use of a credit card and third-degree identity theft.

Ada was arrested on Nov. 10, 2011, after a police investigation found he was responsible for at least a dozen thefts from cars in the downtown Hilo area, according to the office. He reportedly used credit cards and debit cards taken from the vehicles at various businesses in Hilo.