Puna man charged with stealing truck and felony drug possession

Kaimilani Payao, 50 of Puna, was arrested and charged with felony theft of a Toyota truck and felony drug possession charges, according to Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.

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.  

The Toyota truck was reported stolen on Sept. 21, 2022 from outside of a residence on Puainako Street.  

As the Complaint alleges, Payao was charged with Theft in the First Degree, Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, 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 10 years in prison or four years probation and up to 18 months in jail.