A Puna man was charged today with attempted murder after he allegedly assaulted a man and woman with a meat cleaver and bit the woman’s ear off on Tuesday.
41-year-old Reed Martineau faces charges of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, kidnapping, first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening, unauthorized control of a vehicle and unauthorized entry into a vehicle.
Martineau was charged after an incident late Tuesday when police responded to a reported assault in Kalapana Seaview Estates. Responding officers found a 53-year-old Puna woman on the shoulder of a road with facial lacerations and a partially severed ear.
The woman stated that she and a 77-year-old Puna man were accosted in a vehicle by Martineau, who forced himself into the vehicle while brandishing a meat cleaver. Ordering the man to drive toward Highway 137, Martineau allegedly struck the male repeatedly with the cleaver’s handle and struck the woman repeatedly with his fists.
The suspect then ordered the driver to pull over, whereupon the driver escaped from the vehicle. The suspect, commandeering the vehicle himself, continued north on Highway 137 while threatening to kill his remaining captive, striking her repeatedly.
The vehicle eventually arrived within Kalapana Seaview Estates, where he dragged the woman out of the car, punching and kicking her all the while. During this time, the suspect also bit off part of the woman’s left ear.
Eventually, a passing driver stopped to assist the woman, prompting the suspect to flee the scene. Martineau eventually arrived at the scene while police were investigating the area, leading to his arrest.
Martineau is being held at the Hilo cellblock pending a $465,000 bail. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Monday.
Anyone with more information about the case is encouraged to contact Detective Jesse Kerr at (808) 961-2379.