Hawai’i Island police arrested and charged 39-year-old Justin Siliva Lealao of Hilo following a July 29 Keaukaha incident.
After conferring with Hawai’i County prosecutors, detectives charged Lealao with the following offenses:
- first-degree assault against a police officer
- resisting arrest
- deadly weapons prohibited
- operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (DUI)
- possession of an open liquor container
- driving while license suspended/revoked
- no no-fault insurance
The charges against Lealao stem from an incident where South Hilo patrol officers responded to the area of Carlsmith Beach Park/Four Miles in Keaukaha, after receiving a report of vehicles congregating, burning rubber on the roadway, and drinking in the area.
Upon the initial officer arriving, a pick-up truck being operated by Lealao was observed blocking traffic. The uniformed officer contacted Lealao who was seated in the driver seat. He exhibited signs of being under the influence of alcohol, and open liquor bottles were also observed in his vehicle. A request was made for Lealao to exit the vehicle; however, he refused and became aggressive. As officers attempted to remove Lealao he became physically resistant and combative. During the struggle to remove him, Lealao kicked an officer in the knee, and attempted to gain control of an officers Taser causing it to discharge one its probes and strike the officer in the leg. Lealao was also observed to be in possession of brass knuckles.
Lealao was subsequently placed under arrest, while the vehicle he was operating was recovered as evidence pending execution of a search warrant. Upon execution of the warrant, detectives recovered various empty and partially full liquor bottles and the brass knuckles.
The injured officer was treated at the Hilo Medical Center for knee and hand injuries, and released a short time later.
Police would like to remind the public that it is illegal to consume alcohol on any public roadway, on County property, and in County beach parks without a proper permit.
Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact Detective Christopher Jelsma of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2386 or via email at Christopher.Jelsma@hawaiicounty.gov.
HPD Photo