Puna man facing assault charges on 2 police officers following weekend arrest

A man from Mountain View wanted on two outstanding warrants is facing assault charges on Hawai‘i Island police officers after he was reportedly found in a stolen vehicle over the weekend.

The incident occurred in Kurtistown on Sunday. According to a press release from Hawai‘i Island police, officers received a report at 8:16 a.m. of a gray Kia Soul driving recklessly on Highway 11 towards Kea‘au. The witness provided Central Dispatch with the Kia’s license plate number and updates, including that the vehicle had parked in front of a convenience store in Kurtistown.

A check of the license plate determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Hilo in November 2025.

Uniformed patrol officers arrived at the parking lot and contacted the driver, who was later identified as 24-year-old Hayden Bruce. He was seated in the driver’s seat of the stolen vehicle and was the sole occupant.

“Officers issued repeated verbal commands for Bruce to exit the vehicle, which he refused,” officials stated in the press release. “When an officer opened the driver’s side door to remove Bruce from the vehicle, Bruce reversed at a high rate of speed, forcing the officer to jump into the moving vehicle to avoid serious injury.”

A second officer attempting to assist was injured by the reversing vehicle. The stolen vehicle then collided with a police-subsidized vehicle parked several feet behind it. Officers were eventually able to remove Bruce from the vehicle and place him under arrest.

The involved officers suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section responded and assumed the investigation. The scene was processed, and the stolen vehicle was recovered as evidence and towed to the Hilo Police Station.

The damaged police-subsidized vehicle was also recovered and towed for further processing.

A cross-body bag worn by Bruce was recovered as evidence, and a search warrant was executed, where detectives recovered a loaded 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of live 9 mm ammunition.

Bruce made his initial appearance in Puna District Court on Tuesday on the following charges:

• First-degree theft
• Unauthorized control of propelled vehicle (auto theft)
• First-degree criminal property damage
• (Two counts) First-degree assault on a police officer
• Carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on highway
• Place to keep pistol or revolvers
• Place to keep ammunition
• Permits to acquire firearm
• Mandatory registration of firearm
• Duty upon striking unattended vehicle or property
• Driving without a valid driver’s license

Bruce’s bail was confirmed at $97,200 and he is slated to appear for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 22. According to court minutes, Judge Jeffrey Hawk determined there was probable cause to further detain the 24-year-old.

The Area I Criminal Investigation Section is continuing this investigation. Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact Detective Amy Omaya of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2381, or via email at Amy.Omaya@hawaiipolice.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.