Puna man taken into custody following weapons incident

Hawai‘i Island police arrested a 38-year-old man on Thursday, May 21, following reports of an individual in possession of multiple firearms at a residence in Mountain View.

Puna patrol officers responded to the home, located in the 18-4100 block of Hinuhinu Street at 3:30 p.m. When officers arrived on scene, a man, later identified as Michael Gardner, of Mountain View, fled the area in a vehicle.

According to police, that vehicle was later located on a nearby dead-end road. Officers established a perimeter while the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Special Response Team was deployed to conduct a search.

At approximately 6:48 p.m., Gardner was located and arrested without incident. He was transported to the East Hawai‘i Detention Center in Hilo, where he remains in custody pending investigation.

Following Gardner’s arrest, his vehicle was recovered pending the execution of a search warrant.

Haumalu Street at the intersection of Haupia Street was closed for a little more than an hour during the incident.

Detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section are continuing the investigation. Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Amy Omaya at 808-961-2381 or via email at Amy.Omaya@hawaiipolice.gov.