A Captain Cook may is facing an array of charges in connection with the alleged theft of a pickup truck in Captain Cook.
Joshua Watan, 32, was charged Thursday with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, theft, meth trafficking, promoting a dangerous drug, drug paraphernalia, five firearm offenses, four counts of violating release on bail and first-degree terroristic threatening for making a threat to a law enforcement officer while in custody, according to the Hawaii County Police Department. His bail was set at $184,000 and he remains at the Kona police cellblock.
On Oct. 21, police responded to a report of a 2011 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck allegedly stolen while it was parked along Mamalahoa Highway in Captain Cook, according to police. Investigation led to the recovery of the truck from a parking lot in Kealakekua on Jan. 3.
A search warrant was subsequently executed on the the truck where police reportedly located eight grams of crystal methamphetamine, or “ice,” a glass pipe with residue and a loaded handgun, according to police. Further investigation led to the identity of the person who had control of the truck. Watan was arrested Tuesday and held at the Kona police cellblock during the investigation.