On Monday, July 8, 2024, at 11:26 a.m., Puna District patrol officers responded to a report of an active assault in the area of the 14-2800 block of Government Beach Road, in Pahoa. 

Upon arrival at the scene, responding officers contacted a 49-year-old Puna man, who reported being in a traffic accident with the suspect, who became violent towards him. The victim reported that while attempting to call police, the suspect attacked and assaulted him, by biting and punching him. The victim also stated that the suspect struck him with a hatchet and threatened to kill him.

The victim sustained a laceration to his right forearm from being struck with the hatchet and also sustained numerous abrasions in various areas of his body. The victim also reported that the suspect slammed his cellphone into the ground destroying it, and struck numerous areas of his vehicle with the hatchet causing damages. 

The suspect’s vehicle was recovered at the scene and was towed to the Hilo Police Station secured vehicle evidence cage pending the execution of a search warrant.

Both the victim and suspect were transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center for treatment of their injuries, and were both released shortly thereafter. Officers arrested the suspect who was identified as 44-year-old Daniel Jones, of Pahoa. He was transported to the East Hawai’i Detention Center for booking, processing, and continued investigation by detectives.

On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives executed a search warrant on the suspect’s vehicle resulting in the recovery of multiple hatchet-type weapons.

After conferring with the Hawai’i County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, detectives charged Jones with the following offenses:

• First-degree assault
• First-degree terroristic threatening
• Second-degree assault
• Third-degree assault
• Third-degree criminal property damage
• Fourth-degree criminal property damage (two counts)

Bail for Jones was set at $21,300.00.

Jones is currently being held at the Hawai’i Police Department East Hawai’i Detention Center pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in South Hilo District Court. Those with information regarding this crime can also contact Detective Paul Mangus at (808) 961-2383 or paul.mangus@hawaiicounty.gov.