HAWAII ISLAND (KHON2) — 31-year-old Pomaikai Olson, the suspect in Saturday’s violent crime spree near the Volcano area, has been charged.
Olson is charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, three counts of first-degree theft of a motor vehicle, three counts of second-degree reckless endangerment, among much more.
Olson was the subject of a chase that lasted under 30 minutes, after police received initial reports of reckless driving while he was traveling in a white pick-up truck, Hilo-bound on Highway 11 in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
“We do get reckless driver complaints every day, but nothing of this magnitude,” said Captain Reo Amon-Wilkins of the Hawai’i Police Department. “We just want to thank the public for their patience.”
“We have crimes in Puna, but this particular one was more heinous than I’m used to hearing,” said Hawaii County Councilmember Matt Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder. “With the car hijacking, the shooting, police cars. This kind of crime is, I think, very concerning as far as a trend in our community here in Hawaii County.”
Officials say that incidents like this serve as a sign that increased law enforcement may be necessary both in the separate counties, like Puna, which is almost the size of Oahu, and island-wide.
“Incidents like this are why we need to improve our police and fire situation in our district, to Puna district specifically,” said Councilmember Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder. “We are growing exponentially and we need more folks to do more work like what the good officers are doing to keep us safe here.”
During the incident on Saturday, members of the Hilo district also drove out to Puna to assist.
“We definitely could use more officers,” said Captain Amon-Wilkins. “But I think we are doing pretty well with the resources that we have.”
Olson’s total bail is set at over half a million dollars. He’s scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Police say that Olson had some prior charges, but nothing indicative of a spree in this manner, and that there was no indication of intoxication upon his arrest.