Ocean View man injures two Big Island police officers during arrest for outstanding warrant

Two Hawaiʻi Island police officers were arresting Samuel Imaizumi of Ocean View for an outstanding warrant on Jan. 23, when Imaizumi tried to elude capture, injuring both officers, according to court documents.

Today, Imaizumi, 47, was charged with felony assault of the two police officers, Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced.

Imaizumi made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Wednesday. His bail was maintained at $36,000. 

According to the probable cause court document, Imaizumi was in the rear area of a property on Henele Road In Mountain View when officers were attempting to arrest him for an outstanding warrant. Imaizumi has a long list of traffic crimes and traffic infractions in Hawai’i County.

During the incident on Jan. 23, Imaizumi ran at a full sprint into the right arm and chest area of Det. Kelly Moniz, causing a distral biceps tendon rupture, according to a Hilo Medical Center emergency room physician.

The court document said that Imaizumi’s “reckless behavior while attempting to elude capture caused Det. Jesse Kerr to sustain a strained groin.”

Imaizumi was charged with first degrees assault, first degree assault against a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. The most serious offense, first degree assault, is a class B felony and punishable by a 10-year prison term or four years probation and up to 18 months in jail.  

Imaizumi waved his rights and made a statement admitted running and dodging officers to avoid capture, according to the court document.