A preliminary hearing is scheduled for today for a 47-year-old Pahoa man accused of threatening patrons of a Hilo gas station with a gun on Monday.
Shortly before 5 p.m. Monday, South Hilo patrol officers were sent to a Hilo gas station to a report that several patrons had been threatened by a man with a gun, according to a press release from the Hawaii Police Department. While responding, additional information was provided to the officers that the suspect left the area in a vehicle. Officers located the vehicle on Kanoelehua Avenue near Leilani Street and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Upon executing a search warrant, police said detectives recovered a black BB gun, which reportedly resembled an authentic pistol, police said.
“Police want to inform the public that although these weapons may not be real, due to their appearance they may be perceived as real, and this can pose a danger to those in possession of them, as well as police and innocent bystanders,” the press release reads.
Steven John, who has no permanent address, was later charged with first-degree terroristic threatening, driving without a valid driver license, and no motor vehicle insurance. His bail was set at $11,250.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident should contact Detective William Brown of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2379 or william.brown@hawaiicounty.gov.