KONA, Hawai‘i – A 29-year-old Kona man, Dyllan Paulo-Leslie, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his involvement in a 2022 armed robbery and a 2023 prison escape.
Sentencing Details
On February 28, 2025, Hilo Circuit Court sentenced Paulo-Leslie to an additional five years for his April 2023 escape from the Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center (HCCC).
Previously, on June 25, 2024, he was sentenced to 20 years for first-degree robbery and 10 years for criminal property damage after pleading guilty in December 2023. His sentences will run concurrently.
Timeline of Crimes
November 10, 2022 – Armed Robbery & Police Shooting
Paulo-Leslie brandished a firearm during a robbery at a restaurant in Kaloko Industrial Park.
He fled with a female passenger in a Toyota Tacoma, which later crashed at Route 190 and Hina Lani Street.
As police responded, he fired a shot, hitting the rear driver’s side tire of a patrol vehicle before being arrested at a residence on Old Mamalahoa Highway.
April 21, 2023 – Prison Escape
Paulo-Leslie escaped from HCCC by scaling a fence.
He was captured the next day in a ravine near Hilo High School and was taken to Hilo Medical Center for injuries sustained during the escape.
Prosecutor’s Statement
Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating that the sentences reflect the danger Paulo-Leslie posed to the community.
Authorities continue to stress the importance of public safety and strict enforcement of laws against violent offenders.
