Police say Puna man and woman were arrested Tuesday after officers were allegedly assaulted while attempting to serve several warrants on a fugitive in Pahoa.
Police say Puna man and woman were arrested Tuesday after officers were allegedly assaulted while attempting to serve several warrants on a fugitive in Pahoa.
Shortly before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, officers arrived at a Pahoa Village property seeking 35-year-old Gustavus Morante of Pahoa, who was wanted on four outstanding bench warrants. Morante was spotted running into the garage after a woman opened the door and let him in, police said.
When officers attempted to arrest the man, a struggle ensued, with Morante elbowing and punching two officers in the face. Morante also grabbed at an officer’s firearm and Taser, both holstered, but was unsuccessful at removing them, police said.
The woman allegedly grabbed an officer’s arms and attempted to pull him off the suspect to help Morante escape.
The officers were treated by Fire Department medics for minor injuries.
Morante and the woman, identified as 29-year-old Minnie Ann Silva of Pahoa, were arrested.
Morante was charged with resisting arrest and two felony counts of assaulting a police officer, contempt of court and two counts each of failure to appear. His bail was set at $21,900.
Silva was charged with hindering prosecution, a misdemeanor. Her bail was set at $1,000.
Both suspects were scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.