Kealakekua man facing burglary, theft charges

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A Kealakekua man is facing burglary and theft charges in connection with a reported burglary Oct. 28 in Holualoa.

A Kealakekua man is facing burglary and theft charges in connection with a reported burglary Oct. 28 in Holualoa.

Mathew Robert Kaleo Malapit, 32, was charged Thursday afternoon with first-degree burglary and five counts of second-degree theft, according to the Hawaii County Police Department. His bail was set at $15,000.

While detectives were investigating the Oct. 28 burglary, they reportedly located jewelry from a second-hand shop in Captain Cook belonging to the three victims, according to police. They also located jewelry that had been taken during two other reported burglaries in Holualoa on Sept. 1 and Oct. 7.

Detectives subsequently obtained the identity of the person who had sold the jewelry to the second-hand shop and arrested Malapit at 12:50 p.m. Wednesday. He was taken to the Kona police cellblock while detectives continued the investigation, according to police.