Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 28 year-old Ha‘aheo Chan of Mountain View was arrested and charged in relation to the theft of a trailer originally reported stolen on October 2, 2024 from the Hawai‘i Academy of Arts and Sciences School campus. On October 30, 2024, according to police reports, officers recovered the trailer from a Sandalwood Drive residence in Pahoa. Officers also executed a search warrant upon a bedroom believed to be Chan’s located at the same residence, and recovered a .22 caliber Jennings brand pistol, .22 caliber ammunition, over ten grams of methamphetamine, and a glass smoking pipe.
Chan made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday afternoon. His bail was maintained at $130,000.00 and he was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on November 7, 2024.
As the Complaint alleges, Chan is charged with Theft in the Second Degree, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree, Ownership or Possession of Ammunition Prohibited, and Ownership or Possession of Firearm Prohibited.
Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree is a class B felony offense which carries a penalty of either a ten-year prison term or four years probation and up to eighteen months in jail. Theft in the Second Degree and Ownership or Possession Prohibited, as charged in this case, are all class C felony offenses which carry a penalty of either a five-year prison term or four years probation and up twelve months in jail.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The arrest was made by Officer Ashton Gomes, Puna Patrol. The felony investigation was handled by the Crime Reduction Unit, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Patrick Muñoz.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity
and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers
at (808) 961-8300.