Police respond to Puna hostage situation

HOLLYN JOHSNON/Tribune-Herald The Hawaii Police Department Special Response Team responded this morning to Hibiscus Street in Fern Acres on the report of a barricaded suspect with a hostage threatening use of a firearm.
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The Hawaii Police Department’s Special Response Team responded to Fern Acres Subdivision in Puna on this morning after a man with a rifle allegedly threatened a woman during a verbal dispute, refusing to allow her to leave the property.

According to police, officers responding to a call at about 8 a.m. set up in the area and when the opportunity presented itself, the tactical team entered the property and apprehended the suspect without encountering any resistance.

The suspect, 48-year old Eric Ragragola, has been arrested on suspicion of terroristic threatening and taken into custody.

Neither the suspect or the victim were injured in the incident, and the investigation is continuing.

Traffic was diverted for the duration of the incident which lasted about three hours.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Tuckloy Aurello at 961-2385 or tuckloy.aurello@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.