Police detectives have arrested and charged two Hawaii County Department of Public Works employees with theft of gasoline from a county facility.
On Monday afternoon, 37-year-old Christin Eve Ho’omaikainani Ho and 39-year-old Chase K. Leopoldino, both of Hilo, were charged with misdemeanor theft.
Ho was charged with two counts of third-degree theft. Her bail was set at $2,000.
Leopoldino was charged with one count of third-degree theft. His bail was set at $1,000.
Both individuals posted bail on Monday evening and were issued a court date of Dec. 24.
On Saturday afternoon shortly after 5 p.m., Ho was observed operating a county-owned vehicle at the fuel pumps at the Hilo Police Station, where she filled gas into a privately owned vehicle, being operated by Leopoldino.
On Sunday afternoon shortly after 5 p.m., Ho was again observed operating a county vehicle at the fuel pumps at the Hilo Police Station. During this incident, Ho was observed with another male party, later determined to be a family member. Ho then left the area, and the family member put fuel into another privately owned vehicle.
On Monday afternoon while on-duty, both Ho and Leopoldino were arrested by detectives.
Detectives are continuing this investigation, and Public Works also is doing an internal investigation into this matter.
Police ask anyone who may have information relative to this incident and/or the individuals involved, to contact Detective David Po‘ohina at (808) 961-2385 or email at David.Poohina@hawaiicounty.gov or the police department’s nonemergency number, at (808) 935-3311.