Honolulu, HI – Two employees of the Hawaii County Department of Public Works have been arrested and charged with the theft of gasoline from a county facility. Christin Eve Ho’omaikainani Ho, 37, and Chase K. Leopoldino, 39, both from Hilo, were taken into custody on Monday afternoon, November 25, 2024, and each faces misdemeanor theft charges.
Ho was charged with two counts of third-degree theft, with bail set at $2,000, while Leopoldino faces one count of third-degree theft, with bail set at $1,000. Both suspects posted bail later that evening and are scheduled for an appearance in Hilo District Court on December 24, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.
The arrests followed an investigation into two separate incidents where county vehicles were used to illegally obtain fuel from the Hilo Police Station’s fuel pumps. The first incident occurred on November 23, when Ho was seen fueling Leopoldino’s private vehicle using county fuel. The following day, Ho was spotted again filling a private vehicle, this time accompanied by a family member who also fueled another private vehicle.
Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section arrested the suspects while they were on duty. The investigation is ongoing, and the Hawaii County Department of Public Works is conducting an internal review of the matter.