Pahoa man arrested after allegedly threatening to set teen on fire
Missing Ocean View man found dead, partially buried
Police are investigating the death of a man whose remains were discovered on a property in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.
The man has been identified 51-year old Adam Santos, who had been reported as missing on June 30.
At approximately 2 p.m. Tuesday, police received information from an anonymous source that something was believed to be dead and partially buried on a vacant lot in Ocean View.
The anonymous source referenced an earlier reported missing person from the area of Tiki Lane in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates as possibly being the victim and gave specific directions about how to get to the location.
Ka‘u patrol officers responded and conducted checks at a vacant lot located on the 92-9200 block of Tiki Lane, where they discovered the deceased body of a male lying face down and covered with dirt and rocks.
Detectives responded to the scene, and upon uncovering the male, they observed severe injuries to his head.
An autopsy on Santos has been scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone with information relative to this investigation is encouraged to call the police department’s nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311. They may also contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
Pahoa man arrested after allegedly threatening to set teen on fire
George Dale Foote Jr., 38, of Pahoa was arrested and charged with an array of offenses following a violent incident involving a juvenile that occurred Tuesday at a residence in Puna.
At approximately 4 p.m., Puna patrol officers responded to a reported panic alarm at a residence in the area of the 15-100 block of Kamanu Street in Pahoa.
Upon arrival, police contacted a woman, who is Foote’s live-in girlfriend and mother of the 15-year-old male victim, who was visiting the residence.
The juvenile victim told the officers that after knocking on the residence, Foote came out, threatened the teen and instructed him to leave.
Foote then allegedly grabbed a small bucket with what was believed to be gasoline and a torch lighter from the back of his pickup truck. When the teenager requested to speak with his mother, Foote threatened to pour the gasoline on him and light him on fire, police said.
After Foote called out for the victim’s mother, who did not come out of the residence, he allegedly doused the victim with the gasoline, causing the his eyes to burn.
The victim retreated to the roadway. Foote allegedly followed the teen, who reported hearing Foote ignite the torch lighter.
Foote was subsequently arrested at the scene without incident.
The juvenile was treated at the scene by Hawaii Fire Department personnel.
Foote later was charged with first-degree terroristic threatening, first-degree attempted assault and three other offenses.
His bail was set at $24,000, and he was later released on bond. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Aug. 1 in Puna District Court.