Hawa’i Island Police arrested and charged the suspect wanted in connection with an arson investigation that occurred on Nov. 17 in the Volcano Golf & Country Club subdivision, in Volcano.
After conferring with County Prosecutors, at 1:15 p.m. Friday, detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section charged 32-year-old Justin Michael Bardwell with second degree arson.
The charge against Bardwell stems from an incident in the Volcano Golf & Country Club subdivision, in Volcano, where a vacation rental was broken into, vandalized and set ablaze.
HFD personnel responded and were able to extinguish the fire and minimize damage to the residence, however, many of the contents were destroyed. Police detectives also responded to the scene and during the course of the investigation identified Bardwell as the suspect. He remained at large until his arrest today at the Old Kona Airport Park in Kailua-Kona.
Bardwell is currently being held in lieu of $10,000 bail pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Monday in Hilo District Court.
Police ask anyone who may have information about this incident to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Kelly Moniz at 961-2378, or via email at kelly.moniz@hawaiicounty.gov.