44-year-old Dante F. Modaffari of Mountain View was arrested and charged by police following a violent assault on his brother.
On February 12, officers responded to a disturbance in front of a Lehuanani subdivision residence involving a male party yelling for help.
The 42-year-old male victim, who was experiencing significant bleeding from his arms due to multiple lacerations, stated that his brother, Modaffari, attacked him with a “machete” and fled the area on foot. Additional responding officers conducted checks in the surrounding area, however, Modaffari was unable to be located at that time.
The victim was transported via Hawai’i County Fire Department ambulance to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center where he underwent immediate surgery for his life-threatening injuries.
On February 13, Puna patrol officers continued checks for Modaffari in the Lehuanani area and located him within a structure on a vacant property near the scene. He was arrested without incident.
Detectives with the Area I Juvenile Aid Section later served a search warrant on the scene where Modaffari was arrested and recovered potential evidence.
Upon conferral with the County of Hawai’i Prosecutors Office, Modaffari was charged with First-degree assault and Abuse of a family/household member.
His bail was set at $55,000. He remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance in Hilo District Court tomorrow.
Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident to call Detective Richard Itliong of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section at (808) 961-2278, or via email at Richard.Itliong@hawaiicounty.gov.
HPD Photo