Defendants accept plea agreements

The two Anahola residents in custody at the Kaua’i Community Correctional Center in connection with a two-month, 30-car rental vehicle break-in operation around the island accepted plea agreements from the County Prosecutor’s Office Thursday in Fifth Circuit Court, Judge Clifford L. Nakea presiding.

Robert I. Goodwin, 39, pleaded to 12 counts of felony car break-ins, and partner Sunny Jo Kauanui, 27, pleaded to 12 counts. Each crime is punishable by five years imprisonment, but if convicted of more than one at a time, terms can be doubled. In this case, Goodwin faces a maximum sentence of 120 years, while Kauanui faces a maximum of 90 years.

Michael Soong, lead prosecutor, said he will recommend payments of restitution to all victims, even on the cases that were dismissed.

From mid-January to February of this year, the duo broke into cars all over the island, targeting mainly vehicles rented by tourists, though a few local residents were victimized.

Goodwin acted as a “lookout” and/or helped to break the locks. Screwdrivers were used to pop them open, but rocks were also used to break windows.

They broke into cars all over the island, including Ke’e Beach, Kipu Falls, Maha’ulepu, Po’ipu Beach Park, Koke’e State Park and Polihale State Beach Park. More than 35 incidents were recorded by the police from Jan. 22 until their arrest. Police later recovered cameras, bags and personal items.

Kauanui and Goodwin were arrested trying to negotiate stolen travelers’ checks at KMart as part of a KPD sting operation in early February. While being questioned regarding travelers’ checks, they confessed to the car break-ins, according to police records. Sentencing was sent for June 26.

Staff Writer Kendyce Manguchei can be reached at mailto:kmanguchei@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 252).