Big Island Police have arrested and charged two men in connection with a car break-in in Nuilii, North Kohala. On January 11, a car belonging to a tourist from California was entered and several items were removed.

Credit cards taken from the car were later used at a North Kohala gas station and two ATM machines. On Wednesday (January 16) South Kohala Patrol officers arrested 42-year-old Steven Vega and 29-year-old Ashley Larita, both of no permanent address. Police obtained a search warrant for the car the two men allegedly used in the crime and recovered a packet containing .2 grams of methamphetamine, a packet containing 2 grams of marijuana and a smoking pipe with a minute amount of methamphetamine. They also seized the car, valued at $1,095, for forfeiture.

On Thursday, Vega was charged with 12 counts of theft, 12 counts of identity theft, two counts of theft of a credit card, possession of confidential information,  two counts of promoting a dangerous drug, promoting a detrimental drug and possessing drug paraphernalia. His bail was set at $27,100.

Larita was charged with 12 counts of theft, 12 counts of identity theft, two counts theft of a credit card, possession of confidential information, promoting a dangerous drug, and possessing drug paraphernalia.  His bail was set at $26,000.

Both men are being held at the Kona police cellblock.