Man arrested in connection with IED found on Maui; police release timeline of investigation

Maui police released a timeline of activity on Tuesday evening surrounding the recent IED investigation on Maui and the arrest on Saturday of a Kahului man.

The Maui Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed the arrest of Robert Dumaran, 47, in connection with the improvised explosive device (IED) that was located on July 23, 2024, near Lono Avenue in Kahului. Earlier in the day, Dumaran had appeared in US District Court for his initial appearance for a criminal complaint for “possessing an unregistered destructive device and attempting to damage property by means of explosives.”

“This arrest is the result of a coordinated effort between the MPD and FBI, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our community.  We recognize that all parties involved are innocent until proven guilty,” police said in a news release.

Timeline of law enforcement activity

• Tuesday, July 23, 2024: Wailuku patrol officers encountered an IED in the roadway on Lono Ave. near Kahului Elementary School. Within minutes, officers closed Lono Avenue between Hina Avenue and Laau Street and evacuated nearby residents. The device was rendered safe and sent to the FBI Laboratory for forensic analysis.
• Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024: MPD officers encountered multiple IEDs near Ka’amana Street in Kula. Due to the location of the scene, no residences required evacuation.
• Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024: MPD and FBI personnel responded to an area near Old Haleakalā Highway and Ikea Place in Pukalani in response to a report that an explosion had caused a car accident. Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle that had sustained damage as a result of the explosion. The driver was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center and was later released.
• Friday, Aug. 9, 2024: Officers closed multiple roads in Wailuku and evacuated nearby residences as a precaution due to an investigative lead.  After a thorough investigation, no explosives were discovered, and the area was declared safe.
• Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024: Robert Dumaran was arrested in connection with the IED that was recovered on July 23, 2024, near Lono Avenue in Kahului.
• Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024: Dumaran appeared before federal Magistrate Judge Kenneth Mansfield, with a preliminary hearing set for Aug. 27, 2024. Dumaran remains in federal custody without bail.

“We understand that the community may have concerns, and we want to reassure the public that we are taking all necessary precautions to maintain the safety of our residents and visitors,” police said.

“The Maui Police Department, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Attorney’s Office, continues to actively investigate these incidents. This unified effort underscores our shared commitment to ensuring that justice is served and that our community remains safe,” said Chief of Police John Pelletier.

Police say the investigation remains active, and specific details cannot be released.

“Our primary focus is to ensure that all involved parties are identified and that justice is served. We appreciate the community’s cooperation in respecting the ongoing process and avoiding speculation,” according to the MPD news release.

Police said safety and well-being of the community remains its top priority. “We urge the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.  If you see something suspicious in the road, such as an object that appears out of place, do not touch, drive over, or go near it for any reason. If possible, keep others away from the area and report the object immediately by calling MPD at 911,” police advise.

If you have information, or if you suspect you know someone who could be involved, please report it immediately to tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).