Barking dog helps catch theft suspect in Kona

An alert dog is credited with stopping a truck break-in in Kailua-Kona.

Joshua Leiataua, of Kailua-Kona, was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday on charges of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and drug offenses.

Police said a 39-year-old Kailua-Kona man heard his dog barking on Sunday and saw two men in the bed of his pickup truck, rummaging through a tool box.

When he approached them, the men fled on foot, taking a case containing a drill. He also discovered coins missing from the truck and a sports utility vehicle next to it.

Police responded to the man’s business on Alapa Street, and with the help of bystanders, arrested Leiataua on Ehu Street at 4:13 p.m. Sunday.

Police said they searched Leiataua’s backpack and found crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Prosecutors charged the 23-year-old man Tuesday afternoon and set bail at $40,000.

Police are continuing to search for the second suspect in the case.