Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Hilo woman, 37-year-old Ashley Turner, was arrested by Hawaii Island Police and charged in relation to the arson of a Wainaku residence on March 25, 2022.
Shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022, South Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded to a reported structure fire on Ohana Place in Hilo. Upon arrival, the residence was fully engulfed. Fire department personnel extinguished the fire and determined that no one was injured.
A short clip of the fire can be found on Big Island Thieves Media Facebook Page or Instagram along with other videos of the smoke.
Witnesses at the scene reported that a woman, later identified as 37-year-old Ashley Nichole Turner of Hilo, who had previously resided at the residence, was seen leaving the house as the fire broke out. She was located a short time later down the street near Hau Lane, where she was arrested.
As the Complaint alleges, Turner was charged with Arson in the First Degree (intentionally set fire or cause property to be burned and knowingly or recklessly damage the property of another, without their consent, in an amount over $20,000 and/or place another person in danger of death or bodily injury).
Area I Criminal Investigation Section personnel responded to the scene to continue this investigation. Fire investigators estimated the damage to the residence at approximately $80,000.
Arson in the First Degree is a class A felony offense punishable by a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years in prison.
Turner remained in police custody in lieu of $50,000 bail pending her initial court appearance scheduled for Monday, March 28, in Hilo District Court.
The investigation was handled by Officers Victor McLellan, Gyasi Williams, Alexis Amon-Wilkins, Christopher Barto, and Joshua Willing, South Hilo Patrol, and Detective Clarence Davies, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Lee.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.#hawaiiprosecutors#hawaiipolicedepartment
