Robbery suspect taken into custody after swimming into Hilo Bay to evade arrest

A robbery suspect was taken into custody after attempting to evade capture by jumping into Hilo Bay.

According to Hawai‘i Island police, officers responded to the Bayfront shoreline on Sunday at 10:46 a.m., just east of the Mo‘oheau Bus Terminal on Highway 19, to investigate a robbery complaint, where the suspect entered the bay.

Mutual aid by the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources was requested, who deployed to the area by watercraft. Verbal requests to exit the water and de-escalation techniques were attempted for approximately two hours, however, the suspect, later identified as Jerome Leader, refused to comply.

The 34-year-old man from Pāhoa refused to return to shore, and law enforcement eventually cleared the area. At approximately 1:30 p.m., Leader returned to shore and was arrested without incident.

He remains in custody at the Hilo Police Station as police continue the investigation.

Police ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact Officer Bryson Arquitola-Takiue of South Hilo District at 808-935-3311 or via email at bryson.arquitola-takiue@hawaiicounty.gov.