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One man charged in Kahului smash and grab

3 others also arrested in case

One man has been charged and three others arrested in the smash-and-grab burglary Sunday at Central Maui Gold & Loan, where a vehicle was driven into the business and items worth an estimated $34,000 were stolen.

Keala Baker, 33, was arrested around 1 a.m. Tuesday by Maui Police Crime Reduction Unit and Wailuku patrol officers, police said in a news release late Friday afternoon. Baker has no local address.

Baker was arrested on four separate warrants and also is under investigation for other criminal acts, police said. He faces first-degree theft, second-degree burglary and second-degree criminal property damage charges in the smash-and-grab case, according to court records.

He was being held at Maui Community Correctional Center on Friday with his bail totaling more than $200,000.

Three other people, all Haiku residents, were arrested but not charged in the case. They include a 37-year-old man, who is suspected of hindering prosecution, theft, firearms and drug counts, and endangering the welfare of a minor; a 30-year-old woman on theft and hindering prosecution counts; and a 39-year-old man for hindering prosecution.

At 11:30 p.m. Sunday, the manager of the Kahului business reported being woken up by the alarm going off at the business, police said. When police arrived they found an SUV parked unattended in the business.

Multiple jewelry cases were smashed and $34,000 in jewelry stolen. Police estimated property damage at $15,000.

Police reviewed video surveillance footage and were able to obtain images of two offenders.

In his initial appearance Thursday in Wailuku District Court, Baker had bail set at $50,000 for the smash-and-grab case. He also was ordered to stay away from the owner of the business.

A preliminary hearing for Baker in the burglary case has been scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday in Wailuku District Court.

In addition to the smash-and-grab case, Baker also has preliminary hearings scheduled at the same time for four other cases. Details and charges, according to court records, follow:

• On Tuesday, Baker was found with methamphetamine, heroin and oxycodone hydrochloride. He was charged with promoting a dangerous drug in the second-degree and two counts of promoting a dangerous drug in the third-degree. Bail in this case was set at $40,000.

• On Nov. 16, Baker allegedly stole a Ford truck in West Maui; obtained personal information, stole credit cards and a purse, burglarized a residence and damaged property. He is charged with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, unauthorized possession of confidential personal information, three counts each of theft of credit card, third-degree theft, first-degree burglary and second-degree criminal property damage. His bail was set at $100,000 in this case.

• On Oct. 13, Baker allegedly stole a 2013 Chevy Equinox. He was charged with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle. Bail was set at $10,000.

• On Sept. 1, Baker allegedly entered a Jeep Wrangler. He also allegedly stole unspecified items from a visitor. He was charged with unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and second-degree theft. His bail was set at $20,000 in this case.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.

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