HILO — A 30-year-old fugitive has been apprehended during an incident in Mountain View involving a Puna district patrol officer firing his weapon Saturday morning.
The suspect was identified as a Michael T. Soares, 30, of a Hilo address.
Around 7 a.m., an Ihope Road homeowner discovered a maroon 1991 Ford Explorer parked near the house with the engine running and a male passed out in the driver seat. Police and Fire Department personnel were summoned, according to a police press release.
Upon arrival, officers noted the ignition had no key with wires pulled out behind the steering wheel. They awoke the male party and ordered him to turn off the vehicle and step outside however he refused and instead floored the gas pedal lurching forward and slamming into the garage of the residence, the release stated. The suspect then shifted into reverse and recklessly backed up the driveway at a high rate of speed heading directly toward an ambulance, two firemen and the resident who were standing near the top of the driveway.
One of the two officers on scene fired one round through the windshield of the suspects’ vehicle as it was reversing causing the driver to duck down behind the dash. The SUV lodged between the ambulance, the side of the house and some brush, and the suspect subsequently surrendered and was arrested.
Soares was arrested for the offense of reckless endangering, criminal property damage, criminal trespassing and a no-bail probation revocation warrant. He is currently being held at the Hilo Police Department detention center pending investigation. There were no injuries in the incident.
The officer who fired his weapon has 13-years of service with the Hawaii Police Department. As is standard practice in any police-involved shooting, the department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section is conducting a criminal investigation into the shooting and the Office of Professional Standards is conducting an administrative investigation.
Police ask anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Detective Bobbie-Jo Sagon at 961-2375.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.