HILO – Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced today that 31-year-old Curtis K. Brown III of Puna has been arrested and charged in connection with the theft of a Chrysler minivan that was reported stolen on November 29, 2024, from the Black Sands Subdivision in Pahoa.

According to police, the minivan was left parked on Upper Puna Road due to a flat tire on Thanksgiving Day and was subsequently stolen. On December 17, 2024, Brown was contacted by officers from Puna Patrol while operating the stolen vehicle. Officers observed that the rear license plate had been altered with black tape. After obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle, authorities found two glass smoking pipes with a substance that tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine, as well as a zip packet containing a substance that tested presumptively positive for cocaine.

Brown made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Thursday afternoon, where his bail was set at $55,000. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on December 23, 2024.

Brown faces multiple charges, including Theft in the First Degree for the theft of the minivan, Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, and two counts of Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree for possessing methamphetamine and cocaine. If convicted, Brown could face significant prison time. Theft in the First Degree is a Class B felony and carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, while the other charges are Class C felonies, each carrying up to 5 years in prison.

The charges are allegations, and Brown is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The investigation was initiated by Puna Patrol, with the arrest made by Officer Ikona Rapoza and Field Training Officer Rodney DeLima, Jr. Detective Chris Jelsma of the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section is leading the felony investigation. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kirsten Selvig is handling the case.