Puna woman charged with theft of vehicle from car dealership, meth possession

A 38-year-old Puna woman has been arrested and charged in relation to the theft of a midsize car.

The vehicle, a Ford Fusion, was reported stolen from the Island Wide Motors parking lot in Hilo on Aug. 14. Lataja Andrade was arrested by Puna patrol officers on Nov. 26 after being contacted in possession of the Ford Fusion on Kauakahi Place in Pāhoa.

Following the execution of a search warrant, officers recovered over four grams of methamphetamine within a zip packet, a sharps container with five syringes (including one containing liquid that tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine) and a glass smoking pipe from the Ford Fusion.

Andrade made her initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Friday afternoon. Her bail
was maintained at $36,000 and she was ordered to appear for preliminary hearing on
Dec. 3.

Andrade is charged with the following:

• Theft in the first degree (theft of a motor vehicle)
• Unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle in the first degree
• Promoting a dangerous drug in the second degree
• Promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree
• Place to keep ammunition

Theft in the first degree and promoting a dangerous drug in the second degree are
class B felony offenses, which carry a penalty of either a 10-year prison term or four years
probation and up to 18 months in jail.