Hilo man arrested after striking cars, utility pole and home with stolen tractor-trailer

A 30-year-old Hilo man is in police custody after he allegedly stole a tractor-trailer and struck two vehicles and a house.

Solomon Aloha Kepano was arrested on suspicion of first-degree theft, fourth-degree theft, third-degree criminal property damage, accident involving damage to a vehicle or property and two counts of first-degree reckless endangering in connection with the incident reported at 7:17 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Hawaii Police Department. He remains at the Hilo police cellblock pending further investigation

Wednesday evening, South Hilo Patrol officers responded to a report of a tractor-trailer that struck two other vehicles and a house on Pilipaa Street in Hilo. Responding officers observed several individuals restraining the alleged driver of the tractor-trailer as he was seen walking away from the scene. Police determined the tractor-trailer and its contents were stolen from a business on Makaala Street and were observed driving through a closed gate.

Police learned from witnesses that the stolen tractor-trailer also struck a vehicle and ran another vehicle off the road on Pilipaa Street before striking and severing a utility pole. It then continued southbound on Pilipaa Street before running off the roadway and striking a house.

No one was injured, according to police.

Pilipaa Street between Puainako Avenue and Kahaopea Street was closed to traffic overnight because of downed power lines. Utility crews from HELCO made temporary repairs and Pilipaa Street was opened to traffic Thursday morning.

Anyone who may have witnessed a white Freightliner and a white container trailer traveling through the industrial areas onto Kanoelehua Avenue, Puainako Avenue or Pilipaa Street in Hilo should call the department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Dean Uyetake at 961-2379 dean.uyetake@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.