KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (KHON2) — On July 4, 20-year-old Keaʻau resident Kealua Jessy was involved in a robbery and vehicle theft at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, leading to his arrest and multiple charges by the Hawaiʻi Police Department.
Jessy was charged on July 7 with first-degree robbery, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, first-degree theft, operating a vehicle under the influence, and several additional road-related offenses.
Authorities reported that Jessy entered the driver’s seat of a vehicle belonging to a 57-year-old woman who was dropping off a friend at the airport. While the woman was helping her friend unload luggage, Jessy attempted to drive away in the vehicle.
The woman ran back, grabbed the open driver’s door and tried to stop him but was dragged several feet before releasing her hold. She was hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released.
Two days later, on July 6, a patrol officer located the stolen vehicle. When police attempted to stop it, Jessy sped away, fleeing the scene. Later that day, he was involved in a major traffic collision, fled the crash site, but was detained by a Department of Land and Natural Resources DOCARE officer. Upon arrival of HPD, Jessy was arrested.
His bail has been set at $194,000.
