WAILUKU - A judge kept bail at $20,000 Friday for a Kahului man who was arrested after he was seen cutting the exhaust pipe of a parked vehicle in an alleged attempt to reach its catalytic converter.
A Feb. 4 trial is set in 2nd Circuit Court for Robert Miyahira, 38.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree theft, attempted second-degree theft, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Deputy Public Defender Greg Ball said Miyahira has no criminal record, in asking that his bail be reduced to $5,000.
But Deputy Prosecutor Justine Hura asked that Miyahira's bail remain at $20,000, citing the facts and circumstances of his case.
When he was confronted after being seen under the 2007 Chevrolet truck parked at Valley Isle Seafood on Hukilike Street the afternoon of Sept. 10, 2010, Miyahira said he was fixing the truck and replacing the catalytic converter before grabbing his backpack and running toward Papa Place, according to court records. He jumped over a fence before being caught by the bystander who had confronted Miyahira.
Hura said two catalytic converters were found on the ground nearby, and cutting tools and a packet containing crystal methamphetamine were found in Miyahira's backpack.
One of the catalytic converters appeared to have been recently cut from a 2004 Chevrolet van belonging to Maui Express Delivery, according to court records.
Miyahira was ordered to stay away from both businesses.
Second Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo maintained bail for Miyahira.
