LIHUE – Kauai police said they recovered a stolen vehicle early yesterday morning in Wailua near Kamalani Bridge and are asking for the public’s help with finding the thief.

According to a preliminary report, a 1995 black Toyota pickup was reported stolen from the Wilcox Hospital parking lot near the emergency room at around 9:42 Sunday night, and an all points bulletin was issued on the vehicle.

At around 1:30 yesterday morning, a police officer spotted the stolen vehicle heading north on Kuhio Highway near the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort.

The officer called for assistance and started pursuing the stolen vehicle. The chase took officers to Kamalani Bridge at Lydgate Park in Wailua. Unable to drive their cars further, the officers continued their pursuit on foot and found the truck abandoned on the beach about 300 yards south of Kamalani Bridge.

The truck was towed to police headquarters for processing.

Anyone with information about the incident or any occurrence Monday night in the Wilcox Hospital parking lot is urged to call Police Dispatch at 808-241-1711 or CrimeStoppers at 808-241-1887.