Kona man nearly hit cops trying to flee

KAILUA-KONA — A man wanted on a probation violation was arrested after he attempted to flee from a traffic stop Sunday night, police report.

Tonino Benson, 26, of Kailua-Kona was pulled over for allegedly speeding on Alii Drive, according to Chris Loos, Hawaii Police Department spokeswoman.

An officer informed Benson that he was wanted for a probation violation, Loos said, at which point Benson sped off. Officers had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.

Benson was charged with first-degree assault on a police officer, second-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, failure to obey a police officer, first-degree terroristic threatening and violation of probation.

Benson was on four years probation after entering a deferred acceptance of a not guilty plea July 1, 2014, to charges of first-degree burglary, second-degree theft, second-degree forgery and attempted second-degree theft. He was also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service. In a separate case, he entered a similar plea to a charge of failure to return a motor vehicle.

In 2014, he was arrested first for not showing up to two HOPE Probation drug tests. The judge issued an arrest warrant July 21, 2014, for another allegation of violation of probation, which resulted in his arrest Sunday.

He appeared in court Monday, where his bond was set at $12,000. His preliminary hearing was Tuesday.

Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.