On Thursday, April 9, Hawaii County Police arrested Gregory Storm, 53, from Hilo.  He was wanted in connection with a resisting an order to stop a motor vehicle  that occurred earlier in the day.  However, Storm’s actions in threatening police with COVID-19 led to additional charges.

While being taken into custody, Storm told the arresting officers he had the COVID-19 virus and coughed intentionally in their face. The suspect was subsequently transported to Hilo Medical Center for minor injuries where he was treated and released.

The suspect was examined by Hawaii Fire Department medics and Hilo Medical Center staff and determined that there were no symptoms of the COVID-19-virus, and it is not believed that he actually carried the virus.

Storm was charged with resisting an order to stop a motor vehicle, driving without a valid driver’s license reckless endangering in the second degree, prohibited acts during emergency management, two counts of terroristic threatening in the second degree and no no-fault insurance.

Storm is currently being held at the East Hawaiʻi Detention Facility in lieu of $3,025 total bail.

In an interview recorded prior to Storm’s being charged, Hawaii County Prosecutor Mitch Roth said during a declared emergency, which is in effect at both State and County levels, some offenses may be upgraded from misdemeanors to felonies.