Puna man charged with kidnapping, more in domestic and traffic related offenses

Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged a 31-year-old Kea‘au man with numerous offenses stemming from a domestic incident and a traffic related incident that occurred on Ainaloa Drive on Tuesday evening.

Around 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Puna patrol officers were dispatched to an active domestic within a light-colored extra cab Toyota Tacoma. The female victim was yelling for help and stating she was being kidnapped.

As officers approached Ainaloa Drive, a Toyota Tacoma truck was seen turning in the north direction onto Highway 130 from Ainaloa Drive at a high rate of speed. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle continued to drive in an aggressive manner at a high rate of speed. Due to the driver’s actions and the disregard of public safety, officers did not initiate a pursuit. 

Officers contacted the female victim on Ainaloa Drive and witnesses in the area where they identified Daniel Gray Lewis Jr. as the suspect in the domestic and traffic related offenses. 

On Wednesday morning, Lewis was arrested without incident and transported to the Pahoa Police Station while Area I Juvenile Aid Section detectives continued their investigation. 

After conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, Lewis was charged on Thursday evening with the following offenses:

• Kidnapping
• First degree terroristic threatening
• Felony abuse family household member (aggravated strangulation)
• Two counts of misdemeanor abuse family household member
• Resist an order to stop a motor vehicle
• Excessive speeding 81+
• Reckless driving

Lewis was also arrested and charged for four outstanding warrants for arrest. His bail for all offenses and the warrants is $87,850.

Lewis is being held at the Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center pending his initial court hearing scheduled on Friday, September 15, in Hilo District Court.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Detective Patrick Aurello at 808-961-8810 or via email at patrick.aurello@hawaiicounty.gov.