KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Island police have charged a 24-year-old Hilo man with first-degree assault after allegedly setting another man on fire.
The incident occurred Friday afternoon while the victim was visiting an acquaintance at an Akolea Road home in Hilo. About 1:30 p.m., the suspect arrived at the residence of their mutual acquaintance and reportedly threw an unknown flammable liquid on the victim before lighting the victim on fire. The incident is suspected to have been related to a previous disagreement between the two men who know one another.
The victim, a 30-year-old Hilo man, was taken by private vehicle to the Hilo Medical Center, then flown to Oahu Friday afternoon for further treatment. The victim remains in fair condition at the Straub Medical Center with second- and third-degree burns on his lower torso and upper legs.
At 6:55 p.m Saturday, the suspect, Dalston Cortez, turned himself in and was arrested by police at the Pahoa station. He was taken to the Hilo cellblock while detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continued the investigation.
At 12:45 p.m. Monday, police charged Cortez with one count of first-degree assault. His bail has been set at $10,000. He remains in police custody pending his initial appearance scheduled for Tuesday in District Court.
Anyone who witnessed this incident or may information about it is asked to call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Todd Pataray of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2382 or Todd.Pataray@hawaiicounty.gov.