Hawai’i Island police arrested and charged 28-year-old Alden Pauline of Mountain View for firearm and drug offenses.

On Monday, January 10, 2022, officers from the Area I Special Enforcement Unit, who were in upper Puna on an unrelated incident, made contact with Pauline at a residence on Heno Street in Mountain View when they observed him exiting the front passenger door of a vehicle. Pauline was wanted for questioning in an unconnected robbery investigation. Upon walking towards the vehicle and Pauline, officers observed a shotgun in plain view on the front passenger seat.

Pauline was subsequently arrested and officers recovered an unknown substance from his person, which was later determined to be methamphetamine. During the course of the investigation, officers recovered the shotgun and three rounds of ammunition for two different weapons. Pauline has a prior felony conviction and it is illegal for anyone with a felony conviction to own, or be in possession of, firearms or ammunition.

On Tuesday, January 11, after conferring with the Prosecutor’s Office, Pauline was charged with two counts of ownership of possession prohibited, promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree, and prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia. His bail was set at $60,000 and his initial court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, January, 12, in Hilo District Court.