Two Hawai’i County Employees Arrested & Charged with Theft of Gasoline

Hawai’i Island police detectives have arrested and charged two Hawai’i County Department of Public Works employees with theft of gasoline from a county facility.

On Monday afternoon, November 25, 2024, 37-year-old Christin Eve Ho’omaikainani Ho, and 39-year-old Chase K. Leopoldino, both of Hilo, were charged with misdemeanor theft.

Ho was charged with two counts of third-degree theft. Her bail was set at $2000.00

Leopoldino was charged with one count of third-degree theft. His bail was set at $1000.00

Both individuals posted bail on Monday evening and were issued a court date of December 24, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., in Hilo District Court.

On Saturday afternoon, November 23, 2024, shortly after 5:00 p.m., Ho was observed operating a Hawai’i County owned vehicle at the fuel pumps at the Hilo Police Station, where she filled gas into a privately-owned vehicle, being operated by Leopoldino.

On Sunday afternoon, November 24, 2024, shortly after 5:00 p.m., Ho was again observed operating a Hawai’i County owned vehicle at the fuel pumps at the Hilo Police Station. During this incident, Ho was observed with another male party, later determined to be a family member. Ho then left the area, and the family member put fuel into another privately-owned vehicle.

On Monday afternoon, while on-duty, both Ho and Leopoldino were arrested by detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section.

Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives are continuing this criminal investigation. The Hawai’i County Department of Public Works is also doing an internal investigation into this matter. Police ask anyone who may have information relative to this incident and/or the individuals involved, to contact Detective David Po’ohina, of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at (808) 961-2385 or email at David.Poohina@hawaiicounty.gov or the police department’s non-emergency number, at (808) 935-3311.