Police have charged a 30-year-old Puna man with felony assault stemming from an incident in Puna.
On Wednesday (May 25, 2021) at 4:35 p.m.., Puna police responded to a report of an injured male at a business in Pahoa. Officers contacted a 62-year-old male who had multiple lacerations to his arms, hands and head. The male reported that his son, who he identified as Jason Wayne Benkosky, had attacked him with a machete and was at his residence located in the Hawaiian Paradise Park Subdivision. The injured male was transported to the Hilo Medical Center for treatment to his injuries which were classified as serious bodily injury.
Officers responded to the residence where they located and arrested Benkosky without incident. He was held at the police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Juvenile Aid Section continued their investigation.
On May 27, 2021 after conferral with prosecutors, detectives charged Jason Wayne Benkosky with First and Second Degree Assault. His bail was set at $35,000 and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 28, 2021.