KAILUA-KONA — A man is facing a variety of firearm offenses after two loaded handguns were found on his possession after he was transported to a Hilo hospital on Thursday.
Randolph Lee Yates had been transported to Hilo Medical Center for a medical issue, but was found to be in possession of two loaded handguns, according to a Hawaii Police Department press release.
As part of the protocol at the hospital, police say security personnel utilized a metal detector commonly referred to as a “wand” to check Yates. During the check, security personnel were alerted to the potential of a large metal object.
A safety check was performed that police say lead to the discovery of two loaded handguns. One of the handguns had its serial number scratched off.
Yates was charged with two counts of altering of identification marks, two counts of registration mandatory, permit to acquire, place to keep a firearm, two counts carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on a public highway. He is being held on $13,500 bail pending a court appearance Friday.
Thursday’s discovery of the handguns follows a March 20 incident at Hilo Medical Center in which a Pahoa man allegedly stabbed three people.
The suspect in that case Franklin Laney Allen Poulsen, 21, was charged with with attempted second-degree murder, terroristic threatening, two counts of first-degree assault, and one of third-degree assault.
According to police reports, Poulsen was being treated at the hospital for an unspecified drug overdose early March 20. While receiving treatment, Poulsen reportedly attacked a 25-year-old nurse, seizing her throat and choking her with his right hand and holding a knife to her throat with the other.
A security guard and janitor intervened, separating the two. While working to restrain the suspect, the janitor reportedly suffered four stab wounds to his right arm and the guard suffered a stab wound to his left arm.