Police arrest, charge two Hilo men in credit card theft investigation

News admin July 17, 2026 0 Comments

Police arrest, charge two Hilo men in credit card theft investigation

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police have arrested and charged two Hilo men in connection with a series of fraudulent credit card transactions that occurred at multiple businesses in the Hilo area.

The investigation began on Saturday, June 27, after a 50-year-old Mountain View man reported misplacing his wallet in the Kurtistown area late the previous afternoon.

Shortly afterward, the victim discovered more than $3,000 in unauthorized charges on his credit card.

Officers immediately initiated an investigation and conducted follow-up at several Hilo businesses where the fraudulent transactions had occurred. Detectives obtained surveillance video that captured the transactions and identified two suspects as 37-year-old Sonny Vierra and 54-year-old Elliott Kaimi Sr., both of Hilo.

On Wednesday, July 1, officers located and arrested Vierra. During the arrest, officers recovered numerous items that had been purchased using the victim’s stolen credit card.

After conferring with the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Vierra was charged with second- and fourth-degree theft, third-degree identity theft, and fraudulent use of a credit card.

Vierra’s bail was set at $15,100. He made his initial court appearance in Hilo District Court and was granted supervised release.

On Tuesday, July 7, officers located and arrested Kaimi Sr. After conferring with the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Kaimi Sr. was charged with:

Kaimi Sr.’s bail was set at $374,000. Following his initial appearance in Hilo District Court, Kaimi Sr. was ordered held and remains in custody at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed these incidents or who has any relevant information to please contact the Area I Crime Reduction Unit at (808) 961-8222.