Traffic Stop Results in Multiple Charges Filed

A routine traffic stop in Kona Saturday resulted in three arrests, including one involving the driver of a car passing by.

Police said a patrol officer had stopped a vehicle with two women occupants when he observed drug paraphernalia in the car. Police later allegedly recovered a glass smoking pipe and two small plastic bags containing a white powdery substance.

Police arrested the driver, 47-year-old Grace Duguran of Kailua-Kona, and the passenger, 37-year-old Danette Corrales of Pahala.

They were later released pending further investigation.

While waiting for the two to be transported to the police station, a Kia sedan passed by twice and the driver yelled at one of the women.

An officer recognized the Kia’s driver as 37-year-old Chito Reno Asuncion of Pahala, who was wanted on three bench warrants.

As an officer tried to get Asuncion to pull over, Asuncion allegedly sped toward two other officers standing on the road signaling him to stop, forcing them to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. They were not injured.

The Kia was eventually stopped and Asuncion was arrested on the warrants which were two counts of contempt of court and one count of failure to appear. Bail on those charges was set at $20,300. He was also arrested at that time for reckless endangering.

On Sunday, police obtained a search warrant for the Kia and allegedly recovered a glass smoking pipe and plastic bag with white powdery residue, as well as brass knuckles.

The next day further charges were filed against Asuncion including two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening, two counts of second-degree reckless endangering, carrying a deadly weapon, resisting an order to stop, driving with an expired license, promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Bail on those charges was set at $12,000.