KAILUA-KONA — A 48-year-old Mountain View man is facing firearms offenses after police responded to check on the welfare of a man with a firearm last week.
At about 7:36 p.m. Friday, South Hilo patrol officers responded to a reported weapons incident at a residence on East Kahaopea Street in Hilo, according to the Hawaii Police Department. A woman reported that Vernon Fergerstrom was at the property and that he may have a gun in his possession.
Fergerstrom, who had reportedly left the residence, was operating a silver Toyota Tundra, with Kingdom of Hawaii and Hawaii State flags attached to the top rack in the back of his truck.
The vehicle was located a short time later at a business in the immediate area on Kanoelehua Avenue. A traffic stop was conducted, and based on officer’s interactions with the driver, he was subsequently arrested for place to keep firearms. The vehicle was also recovered.
After securing a search warrant, a search of the the vehicle turned up a 9MM rifle, a high-capacity magazine, and ammunition for the rifle. A firearms registration check was conducted and it was determined that the rifle was not registered to Fergerstrom.
Fergerstrom was charged with place to keep; unloaded firearms not pistols/revolvers and place to keep ammunition. His bail was set at $2,500 pending an initial court appearance.