After avoiding authorities for two weeks, Stacie-Lynn K. Pihana appeared in state court this morning to answer to an indictment charging her with stealing nearly $700,000 worth of medical supplies from Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.

Her lawyer Michael Green pleaded not guilty on her behalf to first-degree theft.

Circuit Judge Colette Garibaldi confirmed bail for Pihana at $250,000 and scheduled her trial for March.

An Oahu grand jury indicted Pihana Dec. 27. Deputy prosecutor Chris Van Marter said Pihana, who was a pharmacy technician at WCCHC, stole 2,346 cases of diabetes test strips worth $695,618 between July 2016 and September last year. He said Pihana told police she sold the test strips to a local buyer who took them to Las Vegas and sold them on the black market.

Honolulu police and CrimeStoppers asked for the public’s help in locating Pihana after authorities were unable to locate her to serve her with the indictment and $250,000 warrant. Pihana turned herself in to police last Wednesday.

Green said he doesn’t know why it took Pihana so long to turn herself in.

“Probably trying to raise bail,” he said, “She’s scared to death.”

By the time she turned herself in, Pihana had arranged for a bail bond company to post the $250,000 bail. And before today’s court hearing Green said he had met with Pihana many times in his office.