Five arrested following ‘large affray’ in downtown Hilo
Two adults and three juveniles were arrested Wednesday afternoon after a report of a large affray in downtown Hilo near Kalakaua Park.
At 4:21 p.m. on Wednesday, police received multiple calls reporting a large affray in the area of the 100 block of Kinoole Street in which it was reported people were yelling, throwing rocks and brandishing weapons, including a knife and possibly a rifle.
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When police responded to the scene, they discovered more than 20 people in the parking lot of the old Hilo Hotel.
As some officers conducted crowd control, other officers began investigating the scene and observed a 13-year-old male holding a knife. Police determined he had been yelling at others in a threatening manner.
The teen was subsequently arrested for disorderly conduct.
Police also determined that a 35-year-old Hilo man was involved in an affray with two juvenile males — a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old — who punched, kicked and threw a rock at the 35-year-old man, causing minor injuries.
The two teen males were arrested for assault.
During the incident, 22-year-old Jason Isope of Hilo allegedly picked up a large rock in the presence of officers and approached a group of bystanders in a threatening manner. He was subsequently arrested and charged for disorderly conduct.
While interviewing witnesses, officers learned an adult male had been seen brandishing and pointing what appeared to be a rifle at people, and was then seen retreating into the residential building.
After conducting a search of the area for the armed man, officers located 27-year-old Jimbo Encher of Hilo, who was identified as the male with the rifle. They also recovered two rifle-shaped pellet guns. Encher was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening.
The three male teens who were arrested as a result of this incident were released to their parents pending further investigation.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Officer Joshua Rodby-Tomas at (808) 935-3311 or Joshua.rodby-tomas@hawaiicounty.gov.
