Two government trucks were stolen in apparently unrelated incidents last week, police said.
Two government trucks were stolen in apparently unrelated incidents last week, police said.
A truck belonging to the state Department of Transportation Highways Division was stolen late last week from the median strip of Highway 11 near Hale Nani Correctional Facility on the southern outskirts of Hilo.
“The workers left the keys in the ignition,” police Lt. Greg Esteban said Monday. “Somebody jumped in and drove the vehicle toward Hilo and abandoned the vehicle.”
No arrests have been made, Esteban and a civilian department spokeswoman said.
“It got about as far as Kawailani (Street) and Kanoelehua (Avenue) and then I guess the person who stole it ditched the truck,” the spokeswoman said in a Monday voicemail.
The truck was recovered, according to Esteban.
It was the second government truck stolen last week, according to police.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested Thursday for allegedly stealing a Hawaii County truck the night before.
Police Capt. Robert Wagner said the truck was stolen at about 11:45 p.m. Wednesday outside the Hilo Civic Auditorium. County workers were cleaning the facility at the time and reported the vehicle missing.
Police spotted the truck about an hour later at the intersection of Puainako and Kinoole streets, Wagner said. The driver attempted to evade police and fled after ditching the vehicle on Ohea Street.
A 22-year-old man who was a passenger stayed in the truck.
He was arrested but not charged, Wagner said.
Police found the boy who allegedly stole the truck Thursday in Hilo.
He was arrested and charged with auto theft, driving without a license and marijuana possession.
Police declined to name the boy because he’s a minor. His case was turned over to Family Court, Esteban said.
Esteban said the county truck’s keys were also left in the ignition.
It wasn’t clear if the truck was damaged.
Tribune-Herald reporter Chris D’Angelo contributed.