A Big Island man was arrested, charged after assaulting 2 police officers
The 44-year-old became combative as officers attempted to take him into custody at a shopping center in Kea‘au.
A man from Mountain View is facing charges after assaulting two Hawai‘i Island police officers at a shopping center.
The incident occurred in Kea‘au on the 16-500 block of Kea‘au- Pāhoa Road on Sept. 18 at 8:19 p.m., when Puna patrol officers were called to a disturbance. When they arrived on scene, officers approached a 44-year-old, later identified as Justin Santagati, who became “disorderly and aggressive toward officers and refused to comply.”
Santagati was placed under arrest.
As officers attempted to place Santagati in a police transport vehicle, the 44-year-old became combative, head-butting an officer and kicking another officer several times in the chest.
Both officers were treated and released at the Hilo Benioff Medical Center emergency room for minor injuries. Santagati was transported to the East Hawaii Detention Facility as detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continued the investigation.
Santagati was charged with two counts of first-degree assault against a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct.
His bail was set at $41,000.
Police are asking for anyone with information to call Detective Michael Matsumura of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2386 or by email at Michael.Matsumura@hawaiipolice.gov, or the police department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311.
