Big Island man officially charged following 2 reported armed carjackings over weekend

A man from Nā‘ālehu was officially charged today following a crime spree in the Volcano area that involved two reported carjackings.

Pomaikai Olson, 31, was charged with the following:

• Two counts first-degree robbery
• Three counts first-degree theft of motor vehicle
• Three counts unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle
• Impersonating a police officer
• Five counts accident involving damage to vehicle of property
• Three counts second-degree reckless endangering
• Two counts fourth-degree criminal property damage
• Unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle
• Two counts first-degree terroristic threatening
• Attempted first-degree burglary
• Duty upon striking unattended vehicle/property
• Second-degree negligent injury
• Accident involving substantial bodily injury
• Driving without a valid driver’s license

Olson’s total bail was set at $592,000. He remains in police custody and is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Tuesday in Hilo District Court.

The charges against Olson stem from an incident reported at 4:43 p.m. on Saturday when police dispatch received numerous calls regarding a reckless driver traveling Hilo-bound on Highway 11 within the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, according to a news release from Hawai‘i Island police. Callers reported that a large white Dodge pickup truck was being driven recklessly, forcing oncoming vehicles off the roadway and causing several traffic collisions.

As officers responded to locate the vehicle, a 62-year-old woman called police and reported that she had been carjacked at gunpoint near Highway 11 and Luna Ikena Road in Volcano. The suspect, later identified as Olson, had reportedly left his white pickup truck in the roadway and fled the area in the woman’s Hummer H3, heading toward Hilo.

Shortly thereafter, dispatch received additional calls of a reckless driver, now reported as the Hummer. The vehicle ran two responding marked police vehicles off the roadway and struck several additional vehicles, before becoming disabled.

Olson then exited the disabled Hummer and attempted to flag down passing motorists. A 79-year-old man reported that when he slowed down Olson pointed a firearm at him and demanded his vehicle. The elderly man fled the area and called 911.

Olson then reportedly approached a nearby residence on the 17-400 block of Volcano Road in Kurtistown, where he forcibly attempted to enter the residence. He was confronted by a 53-year-old man who lives within the residence. Olson pointed the firearm at the man and demanded the keys for his parked Dodge pick-up.

“Fearing for his life and the lives of his family, the man informed Olson that the keys were in the truck. Olson reportedly entered the truck, accelerated forward and struck a parked vehicle, then reversed and almost struck a 26-year-old man who had to jump out of the vehicle’s path to avoid being struck,” according to police.

Olson then continued onto Highway 11, struck another vehicle, causing the stolen truck to become disabled. Olson then attempted to flag down passing motorists again, and was then seen throwing the firearm at a passing vehicle.

After Olson was seen throwing the firearm, several bystanders restrained Olson until police arrived and took him into custody.

Police determined the firearm in Olson’s possession was an airsoft pistol that closely resembled a real firearm. Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives responded to multiple scenes and are continuing this investigation.

The stolen Hummer H3 and the Dodge pick-up truck Olson was initially operating were both recovered pending execution of search warrants. Detectives also determined that Olson did not have permission to operate the Dodge pick-up truck, which is owned by a family member.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed any of these incidents or who may have potentially been a victim to contact Detective Amy Omaya of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2381 or via email at Amy.Omaya@hawaiipolice.gov.