Police nab one of three Hale Nani escapees

A judge on Thursday ruled probable cause exists to continue holding a 36-year-old Volcano man who allegedly escaped with two others Dec. 13 from Hawaii Community Correctional Center’s Hale Nani Facility.

Hilo District Judge Kanani Laubach confirmed bail at $9,000 for Joseph C. Fernandez and ordered him to return to court Monday for a preliminary hearing.

Fernandez is charged with second-degree escape, first-degree theft of a motor vehicle, and unauthorized entry to a motor vehicle. In addition, Fernandez is charged with a furlough violation and was returned to the custody of HCCC on a no-bail warden’s warrant.

First degree theft is a Class B felony offense with a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment upon conviction. The escape and unauthorized entry to a motor vehicle charges are Class C felony offenses with a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.

The two other alleged escapees — 31-year-old Clyde Takeshi Talosaga Loa Jr. and 41-year-old Kawai James Pomroy — remain at large.

Fernandez was arrested without incident Wednesday night at a home on Hawaii Boulevard in Ocean View.

According to police, officers also recovered the stolen dark gray 2014 Nissan Altima owned by a Hale Nani employee at a Tiki Lane property in Ocean View.

Police say the three men were seen on surveillance video escaping from the minimum-security facility on the southern outskirts of Hilo in the stolen car at about 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 13.

Loa is described as 5-feet-7 inches tall, about 165 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is serving time for unauthorized control of a stolen vehicle, resisting an order to stop, and unauthorized possession of confidential personal information.

Pomroy is described as 6-feet-2 inches, about 208 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is serving time for misdemeanor domestic abuse.

All three inmates are considered community custody, the lowest-security custody classification.

Police ask anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Loa and/or Pomroy, to call the police department’s nonemergency line at (808) 935-3311.

Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.