A grand jury on Hawaii island has indicted a second man suspected of breaking into a Puna home last month during the lava emergency.
Police said Jesley Saniatan, 24, of Hilo could face enhanced penalties because the alleged burglary on Sept. 8 took place during the state of emergency declared because of the approaching lava flow in the Puna district.
The enhanced penalties mean the burglary is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison with no possibility of probation, rather than a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
Saniatan’s bail was set at $10,000.
Police arrested Saniatan on Wednesday for allegedly burglarizing a home in Orchidland Estates subdivision in Puna last month.
A 35-year-old man saw a man entering his house through a window and then leaving and fleeing in a van driven by another man.
Police arrested Ronald Altura Jr., 23, of Keaau, on Sept. 18 and charged him with burglary during an emergency declaration in connection with the case.
On Sept. 4, Mayor Billy Kenoi proclaimed a state of emergency for the Puna district. As a result, certain crimes, including burglary, have stricter penalties.
For example, petty misdemeanor criminal property damage, usually punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $1,000, is elevated to a Class B felony if carried out during the state of emergency.
Other offenses, including theft, robbery and any assault against an emergency worker, also carry elevated penalties.