A Puna man, 50 year-old Kaimilani Payao, was arrested and charged with the theft of a Toyota truck and felony drug possession charges. The Toyota truck was originally reported stolen on September 21, 2022 from outside of a residence on Puainako Street.
Payao is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Thursday afternoon. He remains in custody in lieu of $70,000.00 bail.
Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that as the Complaint alleges, Payao was charged with Theft in the First Degree (exert unauthorized control over another person’s Toyota truck with intent to deprive them of their property), Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree (exert unauthorized control over another person’s Toyota truck without their consent), Promoting a Harmful Drug in the Second Degree, Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree (possess any amount of methamphetamine), and Prohibited Acts Related to Drug Paraphernalia.
Theft in the First Degree and Promoting a Harmful Drug in the Second Degree are both class B felony offenses which are punishable by a maximum penalty of ten years in prison or four years probation and up to eighteen months in jail.
The case was initiated by South Hilo Patrol and the arrest was made by Officer Calvin Furtado, Puna Patrol. The felony investigation was handled by Detective Blaine Morishita, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Soong.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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.