Report No. 20-072700

Hawaiʻi Island Police have arrested and charged 34-year-old Leroy Castro III, of Volcano, with an array of firearms related offenses and revocation of probation.

On Wednesday night (September 23), after conferring with County Prosecutors, detectives charged Castro with two-counts of ownership prohibited, registration firearm mandatory, permit to acquire, deadly weapons prohibited, and two-counts of first-degree theft. His total bail was set at $103,000 for these offenses.

Castro had been sought by police for an outstanding warrant for revocation of probation, as well as for questioning as a possible witness relative to an unrelated investigation. He was believed to be armed and dangerous.

On Tuesday afternoon (September 22), at 5:05 p.m., members of the Area I Special Enforcement Unit located Castro at a residence on Omeka Road, in Fern Forest. Castro attempted to evade police, however was captured after a short foot pursuit. Upon arrest, Castro was in possession of a fanny-pack which officers recovered.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the fanny-pack, which yielded the recovery of a loaded pistol. The pistol was later determined to be stolen.

Castro remains in custody at the Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center in lieu of $103,000 bail for the firearms related offenses; as well as $50,000 for the probation revocation warrant.

Police want to remind the public that in light of the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Emergency Proclamation which was declared by Hawaiʻi Governor David Ige, that there are enhanced penalties for certain offenses. These offenses include, but are not limited to, burglary, theft, criminal property damage, and robbery.