Puna man arrested after allegedly entering home, threatening to burn it down

A 40-year-old Pāhoa man was arrested and Hawai’i Police Department is investigating following a terror threat incident that happened Friday night (Dec. 19) on ʻAʻama Street in Hawaiian Beaches.

George Foote allegedly entered a residence in the Puna subdivision and threatened to burn down the structure.

Police and members of the Hawai’i Police Department Special Response Team responded to the scene and apprehended Foote without further incident.

Foote is detained at the Hilo Police Cellblock.

Detectives with Hawai’i Police Department Area 1 Criminal Investigations Division are continuing the investigation.

The incident resulted in a temporary closure and request by police for the public to avoid the ʻAʻama Street area for several hours Friday night.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Detective Jenny Lee at 808-961-2279 or call the police department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.