KAILUA-KONA— The man accused of stealing a police department handgun is headed for trial after a judge found him fit to continue.
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.
Deputy public defender Wendy DeWeese had requested a review of his fitness to stand trial on June 28. Third Circuit Court Judge Melvin Fujino found Wike mentally fit and set the trial date as Dec. 20.
The investigation was completed by Area I detectives, who normally cover the windward, eastern side of the island. Joseph Wike remains on supervised release.
DeWeese declined to comment on the case. Stephen Frye, the deputy prosecuting attorney assigned to the case, did not return a request for comment by press time.