City prosecutors have charged a third suspect with stealing more than 20 goats from a Kahuku farm in 2013.
George Makaniolo was charged Wednesday with theft of livestock.
Makaniolo, 26, of Waialua, was the first suspect Honolulu police arrested in September 2013 in connection with the theft of 23 purebred Boer goats from Kahuku Goats, a 250-acre farm on the North Shore, police said. Someone had spotted some goats in the bed of Makaniolo’s pickup truck and took photos. The goats’ mouths had been taped shut.
Police released Makaniolo without charges, then arrested and charged two other suspects, Shannon Chun, 25, of Mililani and Sherwin Mitchell, 25, of Waianae.
Chun and Mitchell are scheduled to stand trial next month. They remain free on $11,000 bail.
While awaiting trial, Mitchell received permission from a state judge to leave Hawaii three times for his job with Pacific Livestock Inc. In 2013 and 2014, Mitchell accompanied live pigs and cattle between Hawaii and California aboard Matson container ships, according to court files.
Theft of livestock is a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison. For a first offense, the punishment includes a mandatory fine of at least $1,000 or restitution, whichever is greater.
Goat owner Keal Pontin said 21 of the stolen animals were pregnant and that 10 were days away from giving birth. None of the goats has been recovered.
Pontin said the thieves left behind two bucks with ropes around their necks and duct tape over their mouths. He contends the thieves used duct tape to prevent the animals from making noise.
A state judge has granted Honolulu police permission to obtain DNA samples from Chun and Mitchell to compare them against DNA recovered from the duct tape.
