MEDIA RELEASE

Joshua Watan

A Captain Cook man has been charged with numerous offenses stemming from the investigation of a stolen pickup truck.

On October 21, police responded to a report that a 2011 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck had been stolen while it was parked along Māmalahoa Highway in Captain Cook.

Police investigation led to the recovery of the stolen truck from a parking lot in Kealakekua on January 3. Police executed a search warrant on the truck and recovered 8 grams of crystal methamphetamine, a glass pipe with residue, and a loaded handgun. Further investigation led to the identity of the person who had control of the truck.

On Tuesday (January 7), police arrested 32-year-old Joshua Watan of Captain Cook. He was taken to the Kona police cellblock while detectives continued the investigation.

On Thursday (January 9), he was charged 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. His bail was set at $184,000. He remains at the cellblock pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Friday (January 9).