Posted on: Saturday, October 16, 2004

Waipahu man charged in car theft

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

One of two men arrested in connection with an auto theft that involved a police shooting Wednesday in Pearl City was charged yesterday with second-degree theft and two drug-related offenses.

Randy C. Garcia, 24, of 94-456 Hamau St. in Waipahu is charged with second-degree theft, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail. Garcia has a District Court appearance scheduled Monday.

According to a police affidavit filed at District Court, Garcia was a passenger in a white 1993 Honda Civic sedan that had been reported stolen Wednesday at 10:50 a.m. from a Kupuna Loop home in Waipahu. Police stopped the car 24 minutes later at Kamehameha Highway and Acacia Road following a pursuit.

Police said Thomas Greene, 18, the driver of the stolen car, was shot in the stomach while ramming several vehicles in an attempt to escape. He remains hospitalized at The Queen's Medical Center and has not been charged.

While being treated for minor injuries at Queen's, Garcia allegedly commented to a police officer that he had jumped into the 1993 Honda Civic to get gasoline, the affidavit said. The theft charge is related to Garcia being in the stolen car.

The drug charges stem from the recovery of two black pouches from an emergency room at Queen's where Garcia received treatment. One bag contained a glass pipe with residue and the other two plastic bags with a white crystal-like substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine, the affidavit said.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.