HILO >> The American Red Cross says a truck that was stolen as a storm approached Hawaii island has been found and is being used to help the hard-hit Puna region.

The Red Cross Hawaii Chapter pleaded for the return of its only emergency truck on the Big Island after it was stolen in Hilo last Wednesday. 

Hawaii Chapter spokeswoman Krislyn Yano said police found the truck the next day, with silver spray paint over the Ford F-150’s Red Cross logos. She said the truck is operational and workers were able to use it just in time to deliver supplies and conduct assessments after Tropical Storm Iselle made landfall over Puna. 

The truck is equipped with four-wheel drive, allowing workers to navigate roads strewn with debris and fallen trees.