WAILUKU, Maui — Bail has been set at $10,000 for a man charged with stealing a police car that was driven from Kahului to Kíhei, where it was found damaged and abandoned last month.

Howard Souki, 51, of Kahului, pleaded not guilty to charges of unauthorized control of a vehicle, reckless driving and resisting an order to stop a vehicle.

A Jan. 11 trial has been set for Souki, who appeared for his arraignment Friday before 2nd Circuit Judge Joel August.

According to police, the police car was stolen at about 2:50 a.m. Oct. 10 after officers followed a moped that was swerving between two lanes and running a stop sign in Kahului. The moped operator crashed and abandoned the moped before running, with officers leaving the police vehicle to chase the man, police said.

The police car was unlocked with the key in the ignition when the moped operator got into the police car and drove it away, traveling 50 to 60 mph and going through a stop sign in Kahului while ignoring the flashing lights and siren of a pursuing police car, according to police.

Officers lost sight of the stolen police car, which was found later on Mikioi Place in Kíhei. Police reported items were missing from the police car, and there was damage to the car's computer.

Souki was arrested Wednesday night when patrol officers found him while investigating a report that people were using drugs at a Lahaina location, police said.

Souki was being held at the Maui Community Correctional Center pending a bail hearing.

Police records show that bail of $20,000 that had been posted for Souki in another case was surrendered. According to court records, Souki is awaiting trial on charges of unauthorized control of a vehicle and reckless driving in another case.

Souki has nine prior felony convictions for crimes, including first-degree reckless endangering, second-degree robbery, first- and second-degree criminal property damage, first-degree terroristic threatening and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.