KAILUA-KONA — The son of a Hawaii County Police Department lieutenant pleaded not guilty to stealing a police pistol Friday in Third Circuit Court.
Joseph “Joey” Namakanaokeakua Wike, 22, of Kailua-Kona, was charged with first-degree theft on April 20. Wike is the son of Lt. Gerald Wike of the police department’s Area II Criminal Investigation Section.
The weapon was not used, and the younger Wike surrendered the weapon voluntarily, according to court documents. Because the stolen item was a firearm, the charge was upgraded to first-degree theft, which raises the offense to a class B felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The investigation was completed by Area I detectives, who normally cover the windward, eastern side of the island.
Joseph Wike was placed on supervised release. He is being represented by deputy public defender Wendy DeWeese, who was not available for comment.
Gerald Wike did not return a message left Friday afternoon.