A 28-year-old Puna man who appeared in Hilo District Court for allegedly stealing a trailer owned by a charter public school in Pahoa has been granted a warrant to move the case upstairs to Hilo Circuit Court.

According to court records, Haaheo K. Chan was served with a felony information warrant Thursday afternoon. The warrant charges Chan with second-degree larceny, second- and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, plus prohibited possession of a firearm and ammunition, and authorizes his re-arrest on those charges.

According to County Attorney Kelden Waltjen, police recovered the trailer, which was reported stolen Oct. 2 from the Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences campus, after executing a search warrant Oct. 30 at a Sandalwood Drive residence in the Ainaloa Estates subdivision.

Police also searched a bedroom at that residence believed to be Chan’s and recovered a Jennings .22 caliber pistol — commonly referred to as the “Saturday Night Special” — as well as .22 caliber ammunition, more than 10 grams of methamphetamine and a glass. smoking pipe.

At Chan’s initial appearance Monday, Hilo District Judge Jeffrey Hawk kept Chan’s bond at $130,000 and ordered him to appear in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing.

Hawk also approved a motion by the public defender to withdraw from Chan’s case due to a conflict of interest and appointed private attorney Stanton Oshiro to defend Chan.

The felony information warrant reduces Chan’s bail to $114,000, but he remained in custody late Thursday afternoon at the Hawaii Community Corrections Center.

Second-degree promotion of a dangerous drug is a Class B felony that carries a possible sentence of 10 years in prison upon conviction, as well as prohibited possession of a firearm and ammunition. Second-degree theft and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug are Class C felonies punishable by up to five years in prison.

Email John Burnett at [email protected].