COURTESY HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
Pomaikai Olson
A Naalehu man, 31, has been arrested for first-degree robbery after a violent crime spree in Volcano on Saturday afternoon, according to the Hawaii County Police Department.
At 4:43 p.m., police dispatch received multiple calls about a reckless driver heading Hilo-bound on Highway 11 within the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. A man was allegedly driving recklessly with a stolen white Dodge pickup truck, forcing oncoming vehicles off the roadway and causing several traffic collisions, according to a news release.
As officers responded to the call, a 62-year-old woman called police and reported her Hummer H3 had been carjacked at gunpoint near Highway 11 and Luna Ikena Road.
The suspect was later identified as Pomaikai Olson who reportedly left the white pickup truck in the roadway and fled with the Hummer heading toward Hilo.
Police dispatch received more calls of a reckless driver in a Hummer. Olson who was allegedly driving the stolen Hummer ran two marked police vehicles off the runway and struck three more vehicles before it was disabled.
Olson allegedly exited the disabled Hummer and attempted to flag down passing motorists. A man, 79, reported that when he slowed down Olson pointed a firearm in his direction and demanded control of the his vehicle. The man fled the area and dialed 911.
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Olson reportedly approached a nearby resident by foot on the 17-400 block of Volcano Road in Kurtistown and attempted to enter a home by force. A male resident, 53, confronted Olson who pointed a firearm at him and demanded the keys to his parked Dodge pickup truck. The man gave him the keys.
Olson allegedly entered the truck, hit the gas, struck a parked vehicle then reversed when he nearly struck a 26-year-old man who jumped out of the vehicle’s path. Olson allegedly continued on Highway 11 where he struck another vehicle and disabled the Dodge truck.
He attempted to flag down passing motorists and reportedly threw the firearm at a passing vehicle. The 53-year-old man and and his 26-year-old nephew restrained Olson until police arrived and took him into custody at 5:05 p.m.
Police later determined the weapon Olson was using was an airsoft pistol that closely resembled a real firearm.
Area 1 Criminal Investigation Section detectives responded to multiple scenes to investigate. The stolen Hummer and Dodge pickup trucks were both recovered pending execution of search warrants. Detectives determined Olson did not have permission to operate the white Dodge pickup truck owned by a family member.
Police detectives will confer with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney to determine any charges.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the events or may have been a victim to contact detective Amy Omaya at 808-961-2381 or email amy.omaya@hawaiipolice.gov.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide CrimeStoppers number at 808-961-830. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
