HILO — A 33-year-old Puna man described by police as “extremely dangerous” and who is suspected of threatening a Hilo Circuit Court judge is behind bars. ADVERTISING HILO — A 33-year-old Puna man described by police as “extremely dangerous” and
HILO — A 33-year-old Puna man described by police as “extremely dangerous” and who is suspected of threatening a Hilo Circuit Court judge is behind bars.
Ronald Joseph Kong was taken into custody at about 11:45 p.m. Sunday at an Ainaloa subdivision home, police said in a written statement Monday. Kong, the subject of a police manhunt, was arrested on suspicion of domestic abuse, terroristic threatening, unlawful imprisonment and assault.
Detectives are also investigating 18 firearms-related charges, which include the alleged possession of two handguns, a sawed-off shotgun and a rifle with silencer, two charges related to explosives, two counts of burglary, five counts of felony theft, five counts each of promoting a dangerous drug and drug paraphernalia and a single marijuana possession charge.
Police Lt. James Gusman said Monday afternoon that Kong was charged for six outstanding bench warrants: four for contempt of court and two for failure to appear. Bail on the six charges total $4,100.
Police say the alleged threat against the judge, who was not named, was reported Jan. 11. According to police, security has been tightened around the courthouse as a result of the alleged threat.
The firearms and explosives were reportedly found in a stolen late-model Toyota pickup truck Kong was driving. Detectives reportedly spotted Kong driving the truck south on Highway 11 in Mountain View. The truck was stopped near Kukui Camp Road. Police say Kong fled on foot into thick brush and eluded capture.
Police took the stolen truck into evidence. A passenger, a 31-year-old Mountain View woman, was arrested on suspicion of hindering prosecution but later was released without being charged.
Several law enforcement agencies, including the police department’s Special Response Team, and bomb squads from the Honolulu Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, executed a search warrant Friday on a Hawaiian Acres property, looking for Kong and for firearms and explosives.
“They scoured the property, and no explosives were found,” Lt. Greg Esteban said Friday.
