East Hawaii Criminal Investigations Section detectives have charged a 54-year-old Puna man with two counts of second-degree forgery and unauthorized possession of confidential information — an identity theft offense.

The offenses involve the production of a fraudulent North Carolina driver's license and Social Security card.

Edward J. Kakos was charged Saturday morning with the offenses following his arrest Feb. 28 at Hilo International Airport. Acting on a tip, detectives waited for the arrival of an interisland flight on which was said to be a fugitive from California traveling under an assumed name. When detectives approached Kakos, he identified himself as "John Secret" and provided identification that reflected that identity. Kakos was taken into custody at that time for the suspected forged identification.

Kakos came to the Big Island along with a female companion in May of 2006. The pair had been residing in various Puna homes under their false identities the entire time. Kakos is wanted by the California Paroling Authority for violating his parole for absconding from their jurisdiction. He was placed on parole in August of 2005 after being convicted on property-damage charges. He had previous convictions for drug and firearm offenses. Hilo detectives are working with California law enforcement officials to facilitate Kakos' extradition to California.

Kakos is being held at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $150,000 bail for the local charges. He has already made his initial court appearance. The District Court maintained his bail amount and bound the case over to Circuit Court for further proceedings.