WAILUKU - A man who broke into vehicles from Lahaina to Kihei was placed on five years' probation Thursday and ordered to pay $1,337 in restitution.
Since the break-ins April 3 to 6, Norman Cabos, 48, of Makawao said he has been working and participating in drug treatment and classes.
"I'm sorry for what I did," he said in court.
Cabos had pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, three counts of second-degree theft and fourth-degree criminal property damage. Two other counts of first-degree unauthorized entry into a vehicle were dismissed in exchange for his pleas.
According to court records, the vehicles were broken into April 3 in Kihei and April 5 and 6 in Lahaina.
After being arrested, Cabos alerted police to the location of golf clubs stolen in one vehicle break-in, and the clubs were recovered, said his attorney Gerald Johnson.
Deputy Prosecutor Jeffery Temas said Cabos and another man "did smash-and-grabs into vehicles," stealing from either residents who were out surfing or tourists vacationing.
Temas said Cabos' co-defendant "said they did this for kicks."
Noting that Cabos was unemployed at the time, Temas said "he spent his time, instead of looking for jobs, apparently breaking into other people's cars and stealing property."
Cabos reported that substance abuse was behind the break-ins, Temas said.
Second Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza said Cabos jeopardized his freedom as well as his health by his actions. "You'll be in recovery for the rest of your life," Cardoza told Cabos.
He was given credit for seven days he previously spent in jail. He was ordered to write letters apologizing to the victims.
Co-defendant Scott Joaquin is awaiting sentencing in the cases.
In another sentencing Thursday, a 24-year-old Wailuku man was given a chance to keep theft convictions off his record if he complies with court requirements for the next five years.
Kaikea Cabreros was ordered to pay $18,392 in restitution.
The restitution is for jewelry Cabreros stole from his girlfriend's mother and pawned, Temas said.
"This case is not just about the stolen jewelry," he said. "It's about stolen memories."
Cabreros had pleaded no contest to three counts of second-degree theft and third-degree theft.
Temas said Cabreros had lived for years in the woman's home in Kihei and "was treated like family, like a son."
In May and June, he went into the woman's bedroom and sorted through the jewelry, stealing valuables that he took to pawn shops and gold-buying stores throughout Maui, Temas said.
He said some of the stolen jewelry pieces were gifts handed down through generations.
Cabreros said he had personally apologized to the victim. "I'll do my best to pay back the restitution," he said.
Cardoza said it was difficult to understand why Cabreros victimized the woman.
"The best way to say sorry is to lead a law-abiding life and to pay people back," the judge said.
While that was ordered by the court, Cardoza said it would be "far better that you do it on your own initiative because you want to do it."
Cabreros was given credit for nine days he spent in jail and was ordered to write a letter apologizing to the victim.
