1-18-24 Kona Man Arrested and Charged For Auto Theft After Seen Driving Stolen Vehicle

Hawai‘i Police Department
Kona Patrol
Acting Lieutenant Aron Tomota
Phone: (808) 326-4646, Ext. 253
Report No.: 24-001518

Media Release

A 29-year-old Kailua-Kona man was arrested and charged with auto theft and drug offenses after police spotted him operating a stolen vehicle in Kona on Sunday afternoon, January 14, 2024.

Adam Krilla was arrested by Kona patrol officers at 4:38 p.m. on Sunday after he was seen operating a 2013 Hyundai sedan that had been reported stolen from the Kealakekua area on the evening of Thursday, January 4.

When Krilla was seen operating the stolen vehicle, its front license plate that did not match the rear plate and neither license plate belonged to the vehicle. Both license plates were reported stolen during separate instances in Kona between January 3 and January 8.

Upon his arrest, 0.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine was recovered from Krilla’s person and an additional 0.48 grams of suspected methamphetamine, along with a glass smoking pipe, was recovered from within the stolen vehicle.

After conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, Krilla was charged on Monday evening, January 15, with:

  • First-degree theft
  • First-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle (auto theft)
  • Two counts of fourth-degree theft
  • Two counts of third-degree promoting a dangerous drug
  • Prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia

His total bail was set at $11,200. Krilla remained in police custody until his initial court appearance on Tuesday, January 16, in Kona District Court.


This entry was posted in Media Releases. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
  • Keep your community safe through Crime Stoppers

    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

    The Crime Stoppers TV Program is available on-demand from Nā Leo TV.