WAILUKU - A 19-year-old Pukalani man who stole earrings and a bracelet from a pawn shop in January was sentenced Friday to five years' probation and ordered to pay a $2,800 fine.
Second Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo also ordered Brandon Williamson to pay $700 in restitution as well as stay away from First National Pawn. The fine amount is four times the amount of the goods stolen.
Loo called Williamson's actions "devious" and said that fortunately there were surveillance cameras at the shop that caught the theft.
"You were up to no good, and you were caught," Loo said.
Loo said that just days prior to this theft, Williamson was convicted of fourth-degree theft.
"I did a lot of stupid things," Williamson told the court.
He added that he is no longer hanging around with people he was involved with when he got into trouble.
Deputy Public Defender Greg Ball said Williamson's addiction to oxycodone, a painkiller, had led to his "downward spiral."
He said that after Williamson had surgery done to his arm, he was prescribed oxycodone and got addicted to it.
Williamson pleaded no contest to second-degree theft for an incident Jan. 22, where he stole earrings and a bracelet from First National Pawn, according to court records.
On Friday, Williamson was also in court for another case involving charges of first-degree burglary and second-degree theft for incidents that occurred between November 2010 and January. Williamson pleaded not guilty to the charges, and a bail hearing is set for Wednesday.
In an unrelated court matter, 19-year-old John Matias of Lahaina was sentenced to five years' probation for attempting to steal a moped and moped parts from a Lahaina business last year.
Loo also gave Matias credit for the four days he had already served in jail and gave him a chance to clear his record if he successfully completes probation.
Defense attorney Jon Apo said it was a crime of opportunity and that Matias is still young.
He added that Matias was with a juvenile at the time of the crime. Matias had owed the juvenile some money and felt pressured to return the money, as the juvenile had a baby on the way.
So the two tried to steal mopeds and moped parts but eventually abandoned the effort, Apo said.
Apo said Matias has learned his lesson.
"He's scared straight from the four days he has spent in jail," Apo said.
Loo told Matias that although he is young, he is now an adult and will face adult consequences for his actions.
"You really need to grow up, and you need to grow up now," she said.
Matias pleaded no contest to attempted unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and second-degree theft for an incident on Dec. 4, 2010, in Lahaina, records show.
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
